Year-long drug investigation leads to arrest of 2 Arkansans, seizure of 38 guns

Police in Benton seized drugs and guns during a raid Thursday, and arrested Kongkeomany Phimmachack (top right) and Michelle Isom.
Police in Benton seized drugs and guns during a raid Thursday, and arrested Kongkeomany Phimmachack (top right) and Michelle Isom.

A year-long drug investigation culminated in a pair of arrests at a house in Benton on Thursday and the seizure of a large amount of methamphetamine and marijuana as well as a cache of guns, police said.

Officers recovered 38 weapons, three of which had been reported stolen, a Benton police spokesman said Friday.

Police charged Kongkeomany Phimmachack, 39, and Michelle Isom, 33, with multiple felonies, including trafficking, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, maintaining a drug premises and theft by receiving.

Jail records indicate Phimmachack and Isom are from Mabelvale, and neither have a set bond.

The investigation was conducted by units from the Benton police, Saline County sheriff's office, Arkansas State Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency, according to a news release issued Friday.

“Today, we have disrupted a criminal organization that was responsible for distributing a large amount of crystal methamphetamine throughout our community," Saline County Sheriff Rodney White said the release.

Benton police spokesman Matt Burks said the house on Ram Road where the pair was arrested was not likely used as a place to manufacture meth.

Burks said the drugs were likely imported from Mexico, a country that has become an increasing source of meth after laws passed in Arkansas and other states have made it more difficult for manufacturers to buy over-the-counter ingredients.

At the house, police also seized cars and an undisclosed amount of cash, Burks said.

Burks said the investigation surrounding the seized drugs is ongoing, and more arrests are expected in the near future.

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