Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Task force busts five in Springdale
SPRINGDALE — Detectives with the 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force arrested five people Wednesday in connection with engaging in a continuing criminal gang or enterprise.
Detectives had been doing surveillance on a suspected drug location at 316 Newell Place Apt. D.
Police followed a car that left from the house and stopped them for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.
In the car was Enrique Ramirez, 26, of Springdale; Cinthia Banegas-Ruiz, 25, of Springdale; Uriel Bahena, 25, of Rogers; and Yoshio Yerena, 32, of Green Forest, according to a preliminary arrest report.
Police removed all four from the car and searched the vehicle. Banegas-Ruiz was the driver and on federal probation and the other three were on parole, according to the report.
Police found methamphetamine in Yerena’s pocket. In the car they found a pistol, about 11 grams of cocaine, a gram of methamphetamine, pipes, pills, over a gram of marijuana and digital scales, according to the report. It was unclear to whom the gun belonged.
Police arrested each of the four in connection with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm by a certain person and possession of drug paraphernalia. Ramirex and Yerena were also arrested in connection with simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm.
Ramirez, Banegas-Ruiz and Yerena were all found guilty on drug-related charges in the past five years.
Bahena was found guilty in March 2014 of residental burglary and theft of property and residental burglary in October 2011.
After the traffic stop, police arrested Dominga Fitch who lived at the Newell house.
Fitch was on probation, according to the report.
Police searched her apartment and found half a gram of methamphetamine, other drugs, pipes, scales and baggies for packaging drugs.
Fitch was arrested in connection with engaging in a continuing criminal gang or enterprise, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All five were being held Thursday at the Washington County Detention Center with no bond set.