‘Off the street’: 5 arrested after FBI tip leads CMPD to stash of illegal guns

CHARLOTTE — Five people are facing charges after an FBI tip to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department led to officers finding a stash of illegal weapons.

Channel 9 learned on Friday that CMPD’s Crime Reduction Unit were following up on information from the FBI when they found several people smoking marijuana, and one of them had a concealed weapon.

The officers stopped them on Crescent Springs Drive, which is just northeast of the S. Tryon Street and Carowinds Boulevard intersection. They searched a vehicle and one of the suspect’s homes, and they found a total of nine firearms.

Police said two of the firearms contained “switch devices,” which make them behave like machine guns. One of the firearms was also reported stolen.

“These firearms are what we call crime guns, guns that wind up on the street often taken from law-abiding gun owners,” said Maj. Ryan Kendall with CMPD.

Kendall said CMPD was following up on a tip on a possible attack.

“Some individuals posting on social media with firearms, making threats to shoot another individual,” Kendall told Sáenz.

Two people were charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction after CMPD made the discovery. Those suspects were identified as Brenden Garris, 20, and Na’sier Ragin, 19. Garris was also charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Two other men, 23-year-old Nyrell Foxx and 22-year-old Jordan Smith, were charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Garris and Ragin were also charged with the same crime.

5 charged after CMPD finds illegal weapons: Nyrell Foxx, Brenden Garris, Na'sier Ragin, Jordan Smith — 5 charged after CMPD finds illegal weapons Nyrell Foxx, Brenden Garris, Na'sier Ragin, Jordan Smith

Police said a 17-year-old was also charged with possession of a stolen firearm, and authorities were granted a secure custody order for the teen.

Kendall said he’s thankful for the tip and the quick action that likely prevented violence.

“These two units working together, collaborating with our federal partners, resulted in a great firearm seizure, taking a lot of guns off the street,” Kendall said.