Craig Petties: The Kingpin Who Built a Multi-State Empire From Memphis to Mexico

In the Memphis underworld, few names carry as much weight as Craig Petties — a figure whose rise from the city’s streets to building a multi-million-dollar drug empire is the stuff of legend. Petties wasn’t just another street hustler; he was a strategist, a connector, and one of the most powerful figures to ever emerge from the Mid-South.

Born and raised in Memphis, Craig Petties began his ascent in the local drug trade before expanding far beyond the city limits. His operation eventually stretched from Mexico to the Mid-South, forming a pipeline that funneled narcotics across multiple states. Backed by direct ties to Mexico’s notorious cartels, Petties’ organization became one of the largest and most sophisticated in the region’s history.

What made Petties stand out wasn’t just his reach — it was his ability to blend street knowledge with business acumen. He understood distribution, supply chains, and the importance of loyalty, running his empire with a combination of fear, precision, and respect.

His influence also seeped into the music industry, where he maintained relationships that helped him move more strategically under the radar. The worlds of Memphis hip-hop and street life have long overlapped, and Petties’ presence was felt in both. His reputation became part of the city’s lore — a story whispered in studios, street corners, and nightclubs alike.

But like many who rise fast, Petties’ empire eventually caught the attention of federal authorities. His downfall was as dramatic as his rise, cementing his place as one of the most infamous figures in Memphis history.

To this day, Craig Petties’ legacy remains larger than life — a tale of ambition, power, and how one man from Memphis built an empire that reached all the way to Mexico, forever changing the city’s criminal landscape.