[Another burden of the property seizure scam -- the corruption of the
"authorities". Leon]

Drug Conspiracy
September 30, 2003

By: Christine Connolly

Memphis-- It's a double blow for the Memphis Police Department, two of
those indicted are their own employees.  The supervisor of the property and
evidence room Kenneth Dansberry and an inventory clerk Carl Johnson.  They
are involved with a ring under investigation for public corruption and drug
trafficking.

The FBI says the investigation began one year ago...when officials noticed
valuables and drugs disappearing from the MPD'S property and evidence
room... Officials won't tell us how much was taken...but listen to what
they're seizing and you'll understand this was a multi-million dollar
operation. "Today over 200 officers from Memphis, Shelby County, state and
local offices assembled to conduct searches in various locations here in
Shelby County.  At the same time officers in Atlanta, Georgia and Olive
Branch, Mississippi were conduct searches," says US Attorney for Western
Tennessee, Terry Harris. 30 searches were conducted today alone. You're
looking at some of the cars confiscated--officials believe they were bought
with drug trafficking money.

In total, investigators have seized 300 thousand dollars in vehicles and
that's just the tip of the iceberg. "These searches resulted today a
seizure of a quarter kilogram of coke 9 firearms also seized was 1.75
million dollars worth of real property," says Harris. It also resulted in
the arrests of ten people including these six who are all facing drug and
conspiracy charges... 6 other others have been indicted, but not arrested.
Among them are Memphis Police Department civilian employees Kenneth
Dansberry and Carl Johnson. The Memphis Police Department says this
investigation will lead to changes in the department. "Even as we speak,
auditors are going through the property room. We've already opened up a
separate operation. We're fully prepared for this," says James Bolden
Memphis Police Director.

More arrests are expected in this. Officials would not speculate if that
could involve any officers. 
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