LITTLE ROCK — A federal investigation dubbed “Operation Ice Pick” resulted in drug charges Thursday against 23 people in Gurdon, Arkadelphia and Malvern.
Through a series of numerous undercover purchases — most of them involving methamphetamine or crack cocaine — federal agents broke up a ring that they said often conducted drug transactions in front of children.
“Like many small towns, Gurdon has been plagued by drug-trafficking, including selling drugs near schools and playgrounds,” U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge said in a news release. “Cleaning up drug activity is vital to the success of Gurdon, as it is for all communities,” he added.
Six people were indicted in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Another 13 were charged in Clark County Circuit Court. Four others were charged in Malvern — two in federal court and two in Hot Spring County Circuit Court.
Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson said he knew when he took office that there was a major problem in the southern area of the county.
“We hope that today’s operation shows that we will have a zero tolerance policy on this type of behavior,” Watson said in a news release.
“If you live in Clark County and choose to engage in this activity and supply our children with dangerous drugs, you can expect these results.”
According to one federal indictment, Lee Andrae “Drae” Barnes and Samson “Smurf” Odia Kadari sold methamphetamine at homes where children were present.
Elander “Demp” Lee Kennel also was named in the indictment.
Samuel “Sammy” Barrientos, Bobby Jerome Macon and Kenyuan “Keon” Morris were named in two other indictments.
The maximum penalty for the federal charge of distribution of methamphetamine in this case is 40 years in prison.
Agencies that participated in Operation Ice Pick include: the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 9th East Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Clark County sheriff’s office, the Arkansas State Police, the Arkadelphia Police Department, the Gurdon Police Department and the Arkansas Highway Police.
Arkansas, Pages 14 on 09/21/2012