Police find 1,000 grams of meth

Street value of drugs estimated at $100,000 by police

Drug Bust: El Dorado Police Chief Billy White and Union County Sheriff Mike McGough reveal multiple firearms and over $100K in illegal drugs confiscated during a traffic stop of a couple north of Junction City.
Drug Bust: El Dorado Police Chief Billy White and Union County Sheriff Mike McGough reveal multiple firearms and over $100K in illegal drugs confiscated during a traffic stop of a couple north of Junction City.

By Tia Lyons

Staff Writer

EL DORADO — Officials from multiple law enforcement agencies announced Wednesday three arrests and the seizure of 1,000 grams of crystal methamphetamine and over three dozen firearms following a months-long drug trafficking investigation.

The El Dorado Police Department initiated the investigation and executed it with assistance from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police, and U.S. Marshals.

Law enforcement officers declined to release the names of the suspects or further details about the case, citing an ongoing investigation.

David Butler, 13th Judicial District prosecuting attorney, said two of the suspects were taken into custody Wednesday as a result of a traffic stop that was conducted in Union County by state police.

Butler said the drugs and firearms were seized through the traffic stop and a search warrant that was subsequently issued for the suspects’ residence.

Police said the crystal meth that was seized in the operation had an estimated street value of more than $100,000. Butler said the drugs will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for further analysis.

Also recovered were 37 rifles, shotguns and handguns, several rounds of ammunition, and drug paraphernalia, including scales and plastic baggies.

The suspects face felony charges of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to deliver and maintaining a drug premises.

Butler said his office will also pursue drug trafficking charges, explaining that per state law, such charges apply if the amount of Schedule I narcotics exceeds 200 grams.

He said officers recovered more than 1,000 grams of crystal meth in the operation.

Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at [email protected].

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