Over 200 law enforcement officers and professionals joined forces to launch a major sting operation against alleged drug dealers across the state, according to local sources. The operation, code named Task Force Arkansas, was meant to target drug crimes perpetrated by alleged dealer rings from Little Rock to Fayetteville. The operation has resulted in over 1,200 arrests.
According to the report, the operation began back in July and involved a massive effort from multiple state and federal agencies, including the DEA. While the operation is still technically underway, some 1,260 people have been arrested across the state in connection with drug-related crimes. The scope of Task Force Arkansas actually transcends state lines, and in some cases, authorities say the investigation is international in nature.
Police say they have seized massive amounts of drugs, including 1,293 pounds of marijuana, nearly 230,000 controlled prescription pills, 47 kilograms of cocaine, 37 kilograms of methamphetamine, almost $360,000 in U.S. currency and some 32 vehicles. Public outreach has highlighted the alleged immorality of the drug trade, as it influences schools and communities. While the report did not name any of the 1,260 individuals arrested, each of those individuals will be entitled to a fair trial.
An operation of this scope requires the concerted and coordinated effort of hundreds of law enforcement officers and agencies across Arkansas and beyond. The sheer number of arrests means the courts will take a long time to process each individual case. Each accused person will be represented by a criminal defense attorney who will work to disprove their involvement in drug crimes.