23 arrested, 2 at large in LR-based drug-trafficking indictment

Twenty-three people were arrested Tuesday on charges of drug, weapons and money laundering after an almost two-year investigation of a Little Rock-based drug-trafficking organization.

U.S. Attorney Christopher Thyer said 25 defendants in Arkansas, Georgia, Texas and Tennessee are accused in the 62-count indictment. Twenty of those arrests were made in Little Rock, and two of the accused are still at large.

The FBI's investigation, which began in January 2013, involved undercover operations and law-enforcement actions that included controlled drug purchases, according to the statement.

Officers purchased more than 1.75 kilograms of cocaine from the organization, which was based out of Brewster’s Used Auto Sales, located at 6618 Forbing Road in Little Rock.

On Tuesday, authorities also seized more than 165 pounds of marijuana, 9 ounces of crack cocaine, 20 vehicles and $35,000 in drug proceeds.

The charges include 18 counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; 11 counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine; six counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine; three counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; one count of felon in possession of a firearm; and one count of money laundering. Twenty people are also charged with use of a telephone to facilitate a drug-trafficking crime.

Click here to see the full list of those indicted.

The FBI, Little Rock Police Department, Benton Police Department, Sherwood Police Department, Pulaski County sheriff's office, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas State Police, Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Marshal Service assisted in the investigation.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more on this story.

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