Feds: 70 charged after Arkansas drug- and- gun investigation

BLYTHEVILLE — Local and federal agents arrested more than four dozen people Tuesday as part of a two- year investigation into alleged drug trafficking and gun violence in northeastern Arkansas.

U. S. Attorney Christopher Thyer and others said 70 people were named in 40 indictments handed up last week and unsealed Tuesday. More than 500 law officers took part in the arrests.

Between January 2014 and June 2015, agents bought drugs and/ or guns 160 times. Prosecutors said they seized more than 19 pounds of methamphetamine, 89 illegally possessed firearms and 10 ounces of crack cocaine.

“It has been evident for some time that drugs and guns are overrunning the entire Arkansas Delta in general, and Mississippi County in particular,” Thyer said.

Prosecutors said 50 people were picked up Tuesday, including 11 already in custody on other charges. After the sweep, 20 of those charged remained as fugitives.

The IRS said it conducted two search warrants as part of the investigation with the hope it could disrupt drug operations. The subject of the search warrants was not among those indicted.

Charges in the indictments unsealed Tuesday include conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of crack cocaine and cocaine, use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm and use of a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking crime.