These seizures are significant not just because of the sheer volume, but because its a sign of a deeply concerning trend meth is pouring into the United States through our southern border and is destroying too many communities and more importantly, too many lives, said Shea. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Police in Barling, Arkansas target fentanyl trafficking, CDC: Overdose deaths among Black and Indigenous people surged in 2020. The nine -- Brian Litton, Robin Flanagan, Gustavo Flores, Patrick Stevens, Johnny Peters, Brandi Myers, Lisa Paul, Zachary Scott and Wayne Dillon -- are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine between February 2020 and Feb. 2, 2021, according to court records. A low level operative would not be trusted to hold $18 million of drugs in a house. Even in small doses, it can be fatal.". Updated December 22, 2020 7:06 PM. After speaking with Field Agents from [the] DEA, information was given that Brewer had purchased a very large quantity of Ether from a local parts store in Cleburne County, Arkansas which is commonly used in conversion labs in the methamphetamine manufacturing process for distribution.. Get your copy of the best selling biker book of the year: New Age of Biking and Brotherhood Paperback by James HollywoodMacecari. 12, 2019. An international drug trafficking ring was busted by the Narcotics Control Bureau after a South African woman was caught with 2 kgs of cocaine "meticulously concealed" in her shoes and bags at. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Justice Department officials said the case was built on the work of Pine Bluff Police Detective Kevin Collins. A third operation, this one led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), began in August 2021 when DEA and the North Little Rock Police Department identified street-level methamphetamine and fentanyl dealers in central Arkansas who were connected to the same source of supply. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. North Platte Woman Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Crime. Sheriff Allen Cheek is not revealing much about the two month long investigation though. Investigation revealed the drugs were being mailed into Arkansas from California, and these shipmentswhich included kilogram-quantities of methamphetamine and thousands of pressed fentanyl pillswere then distributed to individuals in Little Rock and Pine Bluff as well as Houston, Texas. All of the Barling officers are equipped with Narcan, a mist that can be sprayed into the nostrils to save the life of a person who overdoses. Marion Wise,of Cave Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison Tuesday for conspiracy to distribute heroin. On June 26, 2020, Barling police Lt. Stephen Becker responded to a call about a passenger in a vehicle who was unconscious from an overdose. Suspect in shooting of Springdale woman shot by officer after pointing gun at police, Communication program for people with nonverbal autistm coming to Fort Smith, Heavy rain and storms likely to increase Thursday across Arkansas, Storm warning fatigue | Alerting Arkansas, New federal law enforcement operation focuses on meth trafficking hubs. -Jonathan Hannah, 35, of Rogers, Arkansas, was sentenced Feb. 13, 2020, to 54 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises. Prescription Drug Fraud + Laws. Todays arrests are in conjunction with the announcement of these indictments of eight individuals who were charged by a federal grand jury on January 7, 2020. CNN Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized more than 2,200 pounds of methamphetamine earlier this month, the largest haul in the agency's history domestically, according to officials.. The DEAs focus is to interrupt the drug transportation chain in the cities that account for 75% distribution of all meth distributed in the country, Shea said. Defendants in this conspiracy received the following sentences: -Marion Wise, 50, of Cave Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced Oct. 6, 2020, to 25 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin. The maximum penalty for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime is not less than five years in prison and up to life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription. Thats a significant amount of meth, Timothy Shea, the DEAs acting administrator, said at a press conference on Wednesday. He was charged with trafficking controlled substance. Someone whos responsible for this quantity of drugs is someone who is very, very trusted by the cartels, Bodner said. Authorities find 3,100 pounds of meth and other drugs hidden in truckload of medical supplies, These two seizures are more than enough to provide a dose of meth, for every man, woman, and child in the United States and Mexico. Officials have detained suspects and will continue to make arrests as the investigation continues. Of the 80 defendants indicted in the three investigations, 8 of those were already in custody when this mornings roundup began. Nuttwas indicted in the Western District of Arkansas and plead guilty on Oct. 23, 2019. Fall enrollment on WBUs main campus in Walnut Ridge [], A suspect vehicle was last seen driving in the direction of Jonesboro on Highway 1. Updated: Jun. Those arrested in connection with selling methamphetamine, heroin and prescription pills incluede: Authorities with Van Buren, Fort Smith and Greenwood Police Departments, Crawford and Sebastian County Sheriffs Offices and Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in the matter. But when a deal goes horribly wrong, the consequences are deadly.Kyle and Swin live by the orders of an Arkansas-based drug kingpin named Frog, whom they've never met. No one was injured in the shooting. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much The technology is, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, UAFS hosts National Museum of Women in Arts exhibition, Proposed AR bill would prohibit animal breed bans, Rogers mayor talks growth in State of the City address, NWA doctors Medicaid billing suspended after fraud, 7 artists compete to be the Next Great Artist, Ashtyn Barbaree rises to the top of local award nominees, Mom jeans & fringe Locals bring back vintage, Jurassic-Era insect found near Fayetteville Walmart, How changes to school choice may impact rural districts, AR-based Big Red store chain sold to Circle K, Early voting for OK special election begins March, What to know about OKs recreational marijuana question, Weather Blog: Severe weather outbreak possible, Teen struck in Springdale officer-involved shooting, Bill that bans transition procedures passes OK House, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Charles Bandy Delivery of methamphetamine, Dusty Gregory Delivery of methamphetamine, Jose Guerrero Delivery of methamphetamine, Daniel Jaquez Delivery of methamphetamine, Jeremy Hunter Delivery of methamphetamine, Dakota Likens Delivery of methamphetamine, Cole Mitchell Delivery of methamphetamine, Casey Salazar Delivery of methamphetamine, John Paul Jones Delivery of methamphetamine, Casey Bates Delivery of methamphetamine, Rex Steward Jr. ARKANSAS, USA Arkansas authorities have completed a drug bust that resulted in more than $55 million in various drugs, 1,200 different arrests, and the recovery of hundreds of firearms.. Little Rock, AR 72203, Telephone:(501) 340-2600 Undercover detectives conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine, heroin and pharmaceuticals from alleged drug dealers in the area, according to Van Buren Police Department. Todays arrests signify our commitment to stopping drug trafficking throughout Eastern Arkansas, stated United States Attorney Hiland. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. He added that treatment options for addicts and people struggling have been limited due to restrictions in place because of the coronavirus. -Kourtney Wilson,31, of Joplin, Missouri, was sentenced Jan. 29, 2020, to one year in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Heroin. -Robert Johnston, 54, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was sentenced Jan. 29, 2020, to 46 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin. -Robert Peeler,31, of Rogers, Arkansas, was sentenced April 19, 2019, to 27 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin. []. A search warrant affidavit states Brewer had recently purchased a large quantity of ether from a Cleburne County part store . Drugs, guns and cash were seized by the 13th Judicial District Drug Task Force. Jobewas previously indicted in the Western District of Arkansas and plead guilty on Mar. But when a deal goes horribly wrong, the consequences are deadly. An investigative focus on the pipeline of drugs and firearms between Pine Bluff and Little Rock resulted in the indictment of 80 individuals, all charged with various federal firearms and drug trafficking charges in multiple indictments that were unsealed today. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. appreciated. Peelerwas indicted in the Western District of Arkansas and plead guilty on Dec. 7, 2018. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. The seizure was part of the DEAs ongoing initiative Operation Crystal Shield, which is targeting cities where meth is often trafficked in bulk. Moore fired towards the living room, where minor children were sleeping. Martinez-Blevinswas indicted in the Western District of Arkansas and plead guilty on May 3, 2019. This drug is behind most deaths. Wilsonwas indicted in the Western District of Arkansas and plead guilty on Oct. 22, 2019. Foster approved the search warrant request. -Stephanie Coleman,47, of Bentonville, Arkansas, was sentenced Jan. 29, 2020, to 18 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin. by KATV. -Connie Sherrell,56, of Watts, Oklahoma, was sentenced June 10, 2019, to 62 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances. Discovery Company. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. 12, 2019. -Harold Campbell,36, of Rogers, Arkansas, was sentenced June 10, 2019, to 37 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin. They were discovered hidden in a truck delivering medical supplies from Mexico. (Edited News Release) - Twenty-five individuals convicted in a drug trafficking ring in northwest Arkansas have been convicted. The 80 defendants indicted in the Western District of Arkansas and plead guilty Oct.... Individuals convicted in a truck delivering medical supplies from Mexico the 13th Judicial District drug Task.... Your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription very. Struggling have been limited due to restrictions in place because of the ongoing. Delivering medical supplies from Mexico in northwest Arkansas have been limited due restrictions. Unless and until proven guilty marion Wise, of Cave Springs, Arkansas was! 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