A multi-agency task force swept three Memphis-area locations on Thursday, hauling away dozens of illegal gambling machines, tens of thousands of dollars in suspected proceeds, and a multi-pound stash of the stimulant khat. The sweeps, which took place at two convenience stores and a home in nearby Cordova, were carried out under search warrants tied to a probe of illegal gambling and drug trafficking. Authorities described the operation as part of a broader crackdown across West Tennessee.
What investigators seized
Agents with the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force executed simultaneous search warrants at two Memphis businesses, Shell Food Station and Yale Discount Tobacco, along with a Cordova residence. According to a press release detailed by Action News 5, officers removed three slot machines and $4,975 from the Shell Food Station. At Yale Discount Tobacco, they seized five slot machines, two ounces of khat, two firearms, drug paraphernalia, and $2,255. From the Cordova home, agents recovered more than one kilogram of khat, a money-counting machine, and $91,096 in cash. The task force said the total haul topped $98,300 and amounted to roughly 2 pounds, 10 ounces of khat.
What is khat, and how Tennessee treats it
Khat (catha edulis) is a leafy shrub commonly chewed or brewed in parts of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where fresh leaves are valued for their stimulant effect. Those leaves contain cathinone, a stimulant. Tennessee law treats the plant as a controlled drug: when cathinone is present, it is designated Schedule I, and when only cathine is present, it is placed on Schedule IV, according to the Tennessee General Assembly.
A running crackdown
The seizures come amid a string of major operations by the West Tennessee task force. The unit reported record-breaking results for 2025, including nearly 1,900 pounds of drugs seized across several counties. WBBJ noted the task force also recovered dozens of firearms and made more than 100 arrests in its annual report.
What comes next
Investigators said arrests are expected to be announced soon, and the case will be prosecuted by the office of 30th Judicial District Attorney Steve Mulroy. Mulroy added, "We'll shut down big drug trafficking operations wherever we can, and we're not backing down on illegal gambling machines," according to Action News 5.
