Darius Jermaine Blakemore
A high-ranking Chattanooga gang member was arrested Wednesday with an assault rifle, two loaded handguns and a large amount of heroin and cocaine.
Darius Jermaine Blakemore told police he has been selling drugs since he was nine years old.
He is facing federal charges of possession of heroin for resale, possession of cocaine for resale and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Officers said, during an investigation into heroin sales in Chattanooga, that a focus was on an individual known as "Tank." Blakemore was subsequently identified as "Tank."
Blakemore was known to drive a white BMW X5 sports utility vehicle.
Officers on Wednesday placed surveillance at the Towne Place Suites at 7010 McCutcheon Road. The white BMW was spotted there. Officers saw Blakemore and a female, Ariel Bailey, drive up in a Lexus and walk toward the BMW.
The couple then drove the Lexus to the nearby Microtel Inn. where Blakemore got out of the vehicle and Ms. Bailey drove off. She was stopped by police, and she said she had just dropped off her boyfriend, Blakemore.
Blakemore was later seen leaving the Microtel with another person in a black Chevrolet Trailblazer. That vehicle was stopped by officers after pulling into the Dollar General on Shallowford Road.
Officers said when the door on the vehicle opened a PTAC/TAC 15 assault rifle fell out of the front door.
Blakemore had with him baggies containing 23.8 grams of crack cocaine, 22.4 grams of powder cocaine and 3.9 grams of heroin.
Inside the white BMW was a loaded Cobray 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a loaded Bersa Thunder .380 caliber handgun.
Blakemore previously was convicted in Hamilton County of reckless endangerment and firearm charges.
Blakemore acknowledged being a top officer of the Rolling 40 Crips street gang.
He said he had been selling heroin since January and had two or three customers.