Large Amounts of Fentanyl Pills and Meth Arriving Here from California Seized

A joint investigation by MNPD narcotics detectives, DEA agents and the TBI’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force led to Monday’s seizure of 12 pounds of pressed fentanyl pills (approximately 120,000) and 27 pounds of meth arriving in Nashville from California.

The investigation revealed that Nashvillian Derrick Johnson, 40, of Lischey Avenue, had flown to California and was driving back here with drugs in a rental SUV. The SUV was spotted on I-24 as it entered Tennessee from Kentucky. MNPD Interdiction Unit officers initiated a stop on the vehicle on I-24 in Davidson County near the Old Hickory Boulevard exit north of downtown. The driver of the SUV, Antonio Johnson (Derrick’s brother), 44, of Southwind Drive, got out as instructed on the shoulder of the interstate. Derrick Johnson, the front seat passenger, then moved into the driver seat and took off at a high rate of speed. An MNPD helicopter, which was monitoring the traffic stop from the air, followed the SUV as two duffle bags were thrown from it in East Nashville. Derrick Johnson stopped briefly on McFerrin Avenue near Ellington Parkway and let a passenger, Ruth Bailey, 39, of Patricia Drive, out. She was taken into custody. Derrick Johnson continued driving to S. 8th Street where he bailed and ran into Cayce Homes. The helicopter directed ground units to him and he was arrested without incident.

During subsequent surveillance on Johnson’s Lischey Avenue residence, a woman, Latoya Kinnard, 37, was seen carrying a large duffle bag and placing it next to trash cans. During the execution of a search warrant at the property, an additional 200 fentanyl pills, 8 grams of meth/fentanyl, and paraphernalia consistent with the distribution of narcotics were seized, most of it from the duffle bag. Kinnard was arrested.

Derrick Johnson is charged with conspiracy to distribute meth and fentanyl, felony evading arrest, and tampering with evidence. His bond is set at $175,000.

Antonio Johnson is charged with conspiracy to distribute meth and fentanyl. His bond is set at $150,000.

Ruth Bailey is charged with conspiracy to distribute meth and fentanyl, felony evading, and tampering with evidence. Her bond is set at $155,000.

Latonya Kinnard is charged with conspiracy to distribute meth and fentanyl, and tampering with evidence. Her bond is set at $85,000.