The Northern Arkansas Drug Task Force announces success in its first year of operation

ASH FLAT, Mo. (KY3) – The Northern Arkansas 3rd Judicial Drug Task Force conducted several large-scale drug seizures in its first year of service.

The drug task force includes Sharp, Lawrence, Randolph and Jackson counties. The group disbanded in 2019 but re-formed in July 2023 with the help of Randolph County Sheriff Kevin Bell, Sharp County Sheriff Shane Russell, Lawrence County Sheriff Tony Waldrupe and Jackson County Sheriff Russell Brinsfield.

In the fall of 2023, the DTF, Sharp County Sheriff's Office, Cave City Police Department, Department of Homeland Security, United States Postal Inspector General, and the 16th Judicial District DTF began “Operation Pony Express,” involving more than 1,700 Grams of methamphetamine and various prescription pills were seized. The press release said several foreign suspects were also identified.

The Lawrence County Drug Task Force and Sheriff's Office launched a three-month investigation into a drug trafficking organization. After several search warrants and several arrests, approximately 1,300 grams of methamphetamine were seized.

At the same time of year, Newport Police Department Task Force officers received information about a major drug dealer in Newport. The police arrested several human traffickers. The out-of-state drug seizures related to the case included 76,203 grams or 168 pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana.

Recently, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Legislature approved $4 million in funding to be distributed among the state's Drug Task Force.

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