Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Aug. 26, 2025 – Ten out of 11 defendants indicted on charges of distributing large amounts of methamphetamine and conspiracy in northeast Arkansas are in custody after federal and state authorities made a series of arrests Tuesday morning as part of an ongoing drug-trafficking investigation.

Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Alicia D. Corder, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Little Rock Field Office, announced Tuesday’s arrests. Five additional defendants have been indicted who were already in custody.

The arrests stem from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, or OCDETF, investigation that began in January 2024 targeting multi-pound level dealers of methamphetamine in the northeast Arkansas area. The defendants listed in the indictments hail from Jonesboro, Blytheville, Osceola, Luxora, Manila, and Trumann.

The investigation, which was headed by the FBI, involved numerous controlled purchases of pounds of methamphetamine from members of four different conspiracies, as well as from individual distributors. According to information learned throughout the investigation, it is believed that these defendants have collectively trafficked more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine to people in Arkansas.

Additionally, during an investigation into one of the conspiracies, law enforcement agents intercepted numerous phone calls in which the conspiracy members discussed trafficking methamphetamine.

“Methamphetamine continues to be the most abused drug across Arkansas. According to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, 55% of our state’s 393 known overdose deaths in 2024 involved meth,” Ross said. “As such, our office and law enforcement partners will continue to prioritize investigations involving methamphetamine, as well as the other leading substances causing drug overdose deaths in Arkansas including cocaine, opioids, and fentanyl.”

“FBI Little Rock, in partnership with our federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, remains resolute in our mission to protect Arkansans by crushing violent crime and dismantling networks that traffic dangerous narcotics,” SAC Corder said. “We are proactively targeting violent offenders, drug trafficking organizations, and criminal enterprises to safeguard our communities and uphold public safety.”

This initiative is part of “SUMMER HEAT,” the FBI’s nationwide initiative targeting violent crime during the summer months. By surging resources alongside state and local partners, executing federal warrants on violent criminals and fugitives, and dismantling violent gangs nationwide, the FBI seeks to aggressively restore safety in communities across the country.

Those arrested on Tuesday will be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Benecia B. Moore on Thursday.

In addition to the FBI, the following agencies assisted with Tuesday’s arrests: the Department of Homeland Security, the Second Judicial Drug Task Force, the Jonesboro Police Department, the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office, the Trumann Police Department, the Blytheville Police Department, the Osceola Police Department, the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, the West Memphis Police Department, the Marion Police Department, the Arkansas State Police, and the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force.

“As announced today by the FBI, Little Rock office, the Jonesboro Police Department participated in a successful operation to remove dangerous drugs and violent criminals from the region,” said Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver responding to today’s action. “I’m proud of the role that the men and women of the JPD and other local agencies played in this effort.  This deadly criminal activity will not be tolerated, and we will continue to dedicate the necessary resources to keep our community and families safe.”

A National Guard helicopter circled over Jonesboro Tuesday morning during the operation. JRN inquired about the helicopter’s activity and was told that the helicopter “is part of an active investigation.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary.