(KAIT) - A multi-agency drug investigation into drug trafficking uncovered a hallucinogenic drug with a street value of $100,000 and. John Tavares, 36, was sentenced on Feb. 7, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Leo. The second investigation focused on the Loady Murder Mobb gang and resulted in the indictment of 26 defendants. Nine people indicted on drug charges after an investigation of a drug organization in Sherwood began their trial process this week in federal court. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. While meth continues to be a major problem,fentanyl, even in a small dose, can kill quickly. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Two heroin/fentanyl related overdose deaths were tied to the investigation, per court records. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Press Release. "The users might not even know what they are taking. In March 2021, the FBIs GETROCK Task Force obtained a wiretap and used a total of twelve wiretaps through June 2022 as a source of real-time information to intervene and prevent violence in Pine Bluff, Little Rock, and other communities throughout the state. THEFT BY RECEIVING. Press Release The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas says law enforcement made numerous arrests in the White County area in connection to a federal investigation into gang and drug activity. Today's 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. - Additional charges and more defendants have been added to two federal indictments that now charge a total of 21 defendants for their roles in separate conspiracies to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Springfield, Mo., area, resulting in the overdose deaths of at least two people. -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. 12, 2019. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Julie Peters and Amanda Fields with assistance from Cameron McCree. Flanagan's hearing was originally scheduled for Wednesday afternoon but was postponed because the Lonoke County jail was not able to present her over video for the bail hearing. The increase in fentanyl is widely noted. These drugs are terribly addictive and extremely dangerous. Faulkner County Sheriffs office, with 20th Judicial Drug Task Force, Quitman Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration searched Brewers home and found two binders with instructions for making methamphetamine as well as two handguns and a backpack containing 11 handgun ammunition magazines. The international release of the film features a different score, composed by. But when a deal goes horribly wrong, the consequences are deadly. LITTLE ROCK Seven defendants are in custody after federal and state authorities made multiple arrests in Jonesboro this morning as part of an ongoing investigation. This drug is behind most deaths. The statement said weapons, including machine guns, cash, and drugs have been seized as part of the investigation. On June 16, 2021, Agents with Homeland Security and the Second Judicial District Drug Task Force, partnered with officers from Jonesboro Police Department, Arkansas State Police, Craighead County Sheriff's Department, Greene County Sheriff's Department, Clay County Sheriff's Department, Rector Police Department, Marmaduke Police Department, Law enforcement officers arrested 13 individuals in the early morning hours and served an arrest warrant Tuesday on one defendant already in state custody. The white powdery substancecan kill a person quickly. In that case, the driver, a 47-year-old Mexican citizen, was arrested and turned over to a joint federal agency investigative team, according to a US Customs and Border Protection statement. The Pottsville Police Department would like to extend a special thank you to the Pope County Sheriffs Office, the 5th Judicial Drug Task Force and the Arkansas State Police for their assistance in the investigation. Martinez-Blevinswas indicted in the Western District of Arkansas and plead guilty on May 3, 2019. In an investigation named Operation Wagon Wheel Takedown, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) led several state and local law enforcement agencies in the arrest of 13 suspects, with 7 still on the run for drug trafficking in central Arkansas. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. This investigation culminated in the indictment of 18 defendants. 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. Once sold to retail distributors, the heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl were distributed in communities throughout Northwest Arkansas. Both subjects were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Meth, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Cocaine, Possession of a Substance, Ecstasy, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Hash, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Marijuana, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, Possession of Meth and Cocaine with the Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms and Drug Trafficking. Attorney General Grewal and Colonel Callahan Announce Takedown of Major Drug Mill in Paterson. 4, 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Operation Wagon Wheel Takedown utilized court-authorized wiretaps to intercept hundreds of drug-trafficking calls, mostly involving Allen, officials said. -Gregory Jobe, 32, of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced July 31, 2019, to 15 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Heroin. Two Barling officers saved the lives of people who overdosed on fentanyl in the past two years. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. During the same time frame, the number of DEA arrests related to meth rose nearly 20%. BOONE COUNTY, Ark. Officers arrived on scene and could hear a verbal altercation coming from inside the home. -Ari Sorto, 28, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced May 19, 2020, to eight years in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release on two counts of Knowingly Using a Communication Facility in a Drug Trafficking Crime. P.O. He added that treatment options for addicts and people struggling have been limited due to restrictions in place because of the coronavirus. 12, 2019. According to the search warrant affidavit, a Cleburne County deputy had launched an investigation against Brandon Brewer of Quitman, who owns a business in Cleburne County but lives in Faulkner County. Three defendants are named in multiple indictments. -Brenda Martinez-Blevins, 48, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced Aug. 22, 2019, to one year in federal prison on one count of Failure to Depart. 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A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Cody Hiland, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Diane Upchurch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Little Rock Field Office, announced todays arrests. U.S. Navy veteran has found a new way to serve others through the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and he encourages veterans to consider doing the same. Justice Department officials said the case was built on the work of Pine Bluff Police Detective Kevin Collins. From USA TODAY: CDC: Overdose deaths among Black and Indigenous people surged in 2020 Read. While investigating the disturbance, officers observed a firearm in the home as well as a large amount of marijuana that was in plain view. Kyle and Swin live by the orders of an Arkansas-based drug kingpin named Frog, whom they've never met. Delivery of methamphetamine, Michael Gunn Delivery of methamphetamine, Dustin Gene Brewer Delivery of methamphetamine, Nicole Lynn Baker Delivery of methamphetamine, James Chester Sivage Delivery of methamphetamine, Robert Allen Coats Delivery of methamphetamine, Aaron Cruise Delivery of methamphetamine, Gregory Snyder Delivery of methamphetamine, Nancy Gonzalez Delivery of Roxicodone, Austin Collins Delivery of heroin, Jacob Jones Delivery of heroin, Nicholas Heath Franklin Delivery of heroin, Dakota Levi Jones Delivery of heroin. Other defendants whose charges were announced today, all of whom reside in Jonesboro, include Alva Turner, 42, who is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; Lawrence Cannon, 49, who is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm; Mike Crockett, 31, who is charged with distribution of methamphetamine; and Percy Law, Jr., 39, who is charged with possession of cocaine and crack cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and three counts of distribution of methamphetamine. More than 107,000 Americans died from overdoses last year. During the search of the home, Pottsville Policeofficers located and seized 13.3 ounces of THC wax, 18 pounds of Marijuana, 5 pounds 7 ounces of Methamphetamine, 1 pound 1 ounce of Ecstasy, 7 firearms,and evidence of gang affiliation. During the press conference, Shea mentioned last weeks second-largest border seizure of meth in which federal agents confiscated more than 3,000 pounds of meth, heroin, fentanyl powder, and pills laced with fentanyl. Johnstonwas indicted in the Western District of Arkansas and plead guilty on Oct. 25, 2019. . Foster approved the search warrant request. Breaking News Coordinator. Your email address will not be published. Police suspected the Quitman man could have drugs at his residence given the large quantity of methamphetamine about 8 pounds he had with him when he was pulled over in Malvern by an Arkansas State Police trooper on Oct. 23, the affidavit states. Why is fentanyl so dangerous? Between the fiscal years 2017-2019, DEA domestic seizures of meth increased 127% from 49,507 pounds to 112,146 pounds, according to the DEA. Thats a significant amount of meth, Timothy Shea, the DEAs acting administrator, said at a press conference on Wednesday. Example video title will go here for this video. So far, they have not filed charges. The indictments stem from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, or OCDETF, investigation that began in March 2016. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Undercover detectives conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine, heroin and pharmaceuticals from alleged drug dealers in the area, according to Van Buren Police Department. 17, 2021 at 3:53 PM PDT PARAGOULD, Ark. A search warrant affidavit states Brewer had recently purchased a large quantity of ether from a Cleburne County part store . Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Diamond Hogs snatch victory late from Rallying Redbirds, Biden mocks Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: Isnt she, Renovations underway at Carol Ann Cross Park in FS, AARP providing free tax help in Fort Smith, WATCH: Chenise Delce & Courtney Deifel preview Woo, Arkansas throtled at No. This drug trafficking ring imported multiple kilograms of heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the Northwest Arkansas area from out of state for local distribution, according to federal court records. After the Quitman man was arrested in Malvern early in the morning on Oct. 23, local authorities sought a search warrant to see if Brewer had methamphetamine hidden at his house. Prescription Drug Fraud + Laws. 2023 Cable News Network. "I'm proud of the efforts of our officers to get this stuff off the streets," Spells said. Insane Throttle Support Club Become a member Now, Insane Throttle/Motorcycle Madhouse Radio YouTube and Audio Disclaimer, Meet the Insane Throttle Contributing Columnist James Hollywood Macecari, Motorcycle Clubs Riding Clubs and Associations Near Me Index & Listings, Our Policies here at Insane Throttle Publications. A 20th Judicial Drug Task Force agent sought a search warrant for a residence on Brewer Hill off Highway 107 in conjunction with an investigation the Cleburne County Sheriffs Office was heading. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. During the operation, including the arrests, more than 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and multiple ounces of heroin and cocaine were seized, along with more than $50,000. Todays operation is the result of a joint investigation between the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives; the Arkansas State Police; the Jonesboro Police Department; the Craighead County Sheriffs Office; and the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force. An affidavit states Brewer had a large quantity of cash when he was stopped. Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription. 2020 R 1 h 57 m IMDb RATING 6.0 /10 13K YOUR RATING Rate Play trailer 2:26 3 Videos 43 Photos Crime Thriller Kyle and Swin live by the orders of an Arkansas-based drug kingpin named Frog, whom they've never met. 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. 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. These convictions send a message of our unending resolve to pursue drug traffickers who wreak havoc in our communities, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley. []. Acting DEA Administrator Timothy Shea announced the bust at a press conference Wednesday. Judge Bourne set bonds for both suspects in the amount of $400,000 and they remain in custody at the Pope County Detention Center at this time. 411 arrests made, 723 pounds of. Its a massive amount.. During the press conference, Shea pointed to the pandemic for the rise in drug use and overdoses. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin OLeary. 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. Three more defendants, Quincy Martez Chambers, Deandreian Devonte Meadows, and Joseph Riggins, Jr., are charged separately in stand-alone indictments. TRAFFICKING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. A Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved. Pine Bluff Police Detective Kevin Collins was shot and killed in October 2020 while serving an arrest warrant on an EBK associate wanted for a homicide in Georgia. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. His 2018 Chevrolet pickup truck was searched and eight pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated value of $358,400 was recovered. Yet despite the country's best efforts to fight it, the problem is getting worse, and is exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nuttwas indicted in the Western District of Arkansas and plead guilty on Oct. 23, 2019. But when a deal goes horribly wrong, the consequences are deadly. Drugs with an estimated value of over $400,000 was recovered, as well as 34 guns and $17,000 in counterfeit currency during the investigation. Meanwhile, fentanyl pills can be purchased illegally on the street for $15-$20 a pill, he said.

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