SPRINGDALE — A two-year investigation snatched more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine off the streets of Northwest Arkansas.
The multi-agency investigation, headed by the 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 named, resulted in the seizure of 118 pounds of meth, $80,000 cash, 16 vehicles and 12 firearms, Eldridge said.
Meth is sold on the street for $85 to $100 per gram, said William Bryant, administration assistant special agent. The meth would have a street value of $4.55 million to $5.35 million, using Bryant’s figures.
Bryant didn’t say where the confiscated meth was produced, but did say most of the meth sold in Northwest Arkansas comes from Mexico.
Agents tailed three suspects from Northwest Arkansas to Dallas to a meth stash house, according to a news release from Eldridge’s office. Through surveillance, agents saw the suspects pick up meth and leave.
Agents stopped the suspects after they left the house, finding 2.2 pounds of meth. The traffic stop led to a search warrant for the house. A majority of the meth and money seized in the investigation came from the house.
Charges are pending against 31 defendants, including some from outside Northwest Arkansas, according to the release. The investigation is ongoing, Eldridge said.
AT A GLANCE
Indictments
Those indicted in the U.S. Court of the Western District of Arkansas: Celen Zendejas, Jose Mejia-Machado, Ana Vaca-Gomez, Omar Frias, Marlene Martinez, Diana Gandert, Tamera Rivera, Porfirio Castro-Ruiz, Jeffery Ruano, Gregorio Carranza, Donna Daosavanh, Jose Herrera, Eberardo Corio-Hernandez, Wilber Alvarenga, Rodolfo Carrillo, Samuel Baeza. All but Alvarenga and Carrillo are in custody. Northwest Arkansas addresses were not provided.
Source: The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Western District of Arkansas.
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 the organization of a drug ring, 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 Washington and Benton counties sheriff’s offices, 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 between agencies and sharing of information is necessary to combat growing drug organizations, O’Kelley said.
“Dope is big business,” O’Kelley said.