SPRINGDALE — A twoyear investigation has removed more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine from the streets of Northwest Arkansas.
The multiagency investigation, headed by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, resulted in 16 area residents being indicted by a grand jury. The indictments included allegations of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine and money laundering.
“Our intent is to dismantle and prosecute drug-trafficking organizations,” Conner Eldridge, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, said at a news conference Wednesday.
Operation La Pantera Negra, as the investigation was called, resulted in the seizure of 118 pounds of methamphetamine, $80,000 in cash, 16 vehicles and 12 firearms, Eldridge said.
Methamphetamine is sold on the street for $85 to $100 per gram, said William Bryant, administration assistant special agent.
Bryant didn’t say where the confiscated methamphetamine was produced, but did say most of the drug sold in Northwest Arkansas comes from Mexico.
Agents tracked three suspects from Northwest Arkansas to a methamphetamine stash house in Dallas, according to a news release from Eldridge’s office. Through surveillance, agents saw suspects pick up methamphetamine and leave.
Agents stopped the suspects after they left the house, finding 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine, reports said. The traffic stop led to a search warrant at the house. A majority of the methamphetamine and money seized in the investigation came from the house, reports said.
Charges are pending against 31 defendants, including some from outside Northwest Arkansas, according to the release. The investigation is ongoing, Eldridge said.
The investigation was paid for through the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. The federal program provides money for investigation and prosecution of drug cases.
“We had to work hard to get in the program,” said Tim Helder, Washington County sheriff. “We are part of the Gulf division, and that is mainly states along the Gulf Coast. I think this proves we belong in it.”
The investigation made inroads into a drug-ring organization, Bryant said.
“The organization had deep roots in Springdale,” said Kathy O’Kelley, Springdale police chief. “This is something we may have not been able to handle alone. Our cooperation with other agencies makes us stronger.”
Having members from several cities and counties, as well as from federal and state agencies, allows the investigation to cross jurisdictional lines, said James Allen, Rogers police chief.
Many of the Springdale residents in the indictment did not have extensive criminal histories in the city, O’Kelley said.
“The more sophisticated organizations tend to avoid incidental contact with police,” O’Kelley said.
The sheriff ’s offices in Washington and Benton counties, officers in the Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale police departments, the Arkansas State Police and the Arkansas National Guard participated in the investigation.
The Arkansas National Guard provided a member of the investigation team as well as aerial surveillance, said Col. Marcus Hatley.
Cooperation among agencies and sharing of information is necessary to combat growing drug organizations, O’Kelley said.
“Dope is big business,” O’Kelley said.
Arkansas, Pages 12 on 03/23/2012