‘Operation Tiger Punch’ nabs 16 suspects for meth trafficking conspiracy

RIPLEY, Tenn. (WMC) - The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the 25th Judicial District announced multiple arrests following a joint federal, state, and local law enforcement operation into methamphetamine trafficking in rural West Tennessee.

“Operation Tiger Punch” resulted in federal indictments for 10 people and state indictments for six others in Shelby and Lauderdale counties.

From February 2024 to April 2026, law enforcement worked to identify and target methamphetamine trafficking as well as prescription drugs being sent through the mail.

Officers seized about 2 pounds of methamphetamine from the Ripley Terrace Apartments in April 2026, six firearms, and $23,345 in cash.

The DOJ said the following individuals are mentioned in an indictment that alleges they conspired to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including meth and alprazolam:

• Tony Arnez Singleton-Cook, aka “Tony Cook” aka “Woadee” 26, of Ripley
• Alfred Hill, 39, of Memphis, Tennessee
• Dezmon Whitelow, 23, of Ripley, Tennessee
• Bobby Lester Brown, aka “Big Bob”, 64, of Covington, Tennessee
• Tristan Buckner, aka “T Baby”, 28, of Ripley, Tennessee
• Richard Lee Dale, 49, of Gates, Tennessee
• Tyreece Mackey, aka “Big TY”, 51, of Ripley, Tennessee
• Robert Steven Mims, aka “Steven”, 49, of Lauderdale County, Tennessee
• Rose Wilson, aka “Momma Rose”, 62, of Ripley, Tennessee
• Shelia Jean Coker, 57, of Ripley, Tennessee

The DOJ said that the indictment alleges that Tony Arnez Singleton-Cook obtained and distributed meth to other people. He was already on state probation for a felony narcotics conviction, according to the DOJ in a press release.

The following people are facing indictments returned by a Lauderdale County Grand Jury for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver or sell:

• Ashley Vance
• Robert Brewer
• George Hoffman
• Joy Ammons
• Charlie Jones, Sr.
• Crystal Pickard

“We are pleased to join with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to focus on the priority areas of narcotics distribution cases that impact public safety in our rural communities, and we are glad to support this successful joint operation by adopting these cases for aggressive federal prosecution. We are tired of drug traffickers that endanger Lauderdale County and West Tennessee, and we will continue our laser focus on punishing and deterring those who distribute poison for profit,” U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said.

Attendees at the press conference included representatives from the West Tennessee Drug Task Force, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, Jackson Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Memphis Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), along with District Attorneys Jody Pickens and Mark Davidson.

Due to technical difficulties, Action News 5 was not able to livestream this press conference.

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