18 arrested in multiagency drug trafficking sting

West Memphis police assist in operation

By the Times News Staff

news@theeveningtimes.com

MARKED TREE — At least 18 people were in custody Tuesday afternoon after federal and state authorities made arrests in Poinsett County in an ongoing drug trafficking investigation case, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Officials said in a media release that the large-scale investigation began in July 2023 and that 21 people were indicted Feb. 6 in connection with the case. At least 17 were arrested Tuesday morning, officials noted. Nearly 15 state and federal agencies were involved in the investigation, including the DEA, FBI, US Marshals Service, Arkansas State Police, Poinsett County Sheriff's Office, Trumann police, Jonesboro police, Craighead County Sheriff's Office, Marion police, West Memphis police, Blytheville police and the 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force.

In discussing the case, both U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross and FBI Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder said 20 of the 21 were charged in a conspiracy to distribute meth.

As of Tuesday afternoon, three co-conspirators who live outside the area have been indicted but have not been arrested.

Both Ross and Corder said the conspiracy was headed by Jack Brown, 58, of Marked Tree, Reginald Hendrix, 53, of Trumann and Dewayne Morris, 36, of Trumann.

The investigation stemmed from a case that was centered in two Poinsett County towns, officials said.

'The arrests stem from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, or OCDETF, investigation that began in July 2023. Most the defendants listed in the indictment are from the small Arkansas towns of Trumann and Marked Tree,' federal authorities said in the media release. 'The indictment marks the first large-scale federal investigation into that section of the state. The investigation, which was headed by the FBI, involved numerous controlled purchases of methamphetamine from members of the conspiracy. Additionally, throughout the investigation law enforcement agents intercepted numerous phone calls in which the conspiracy members discussed trafficking what was in total multiple pounds of methamphetamine.'

Ross said the investigation was a coordinated effort by multiple agencies.

“The arrests of these defen-

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dants continue to show the commitment of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office to focus on making our communities better,” Ross said.

'Through the collaborative efforts of these law enforcement agencies, we were able to make a significant impact in getting these violent drug traffickers out of the community.”

Corder said authorities will continue to work on the illegal drug and trafficking issue throughout the state.

“Ridding Arkansas communities of dangerous narcotics and violent criminals is a top priority for law enforcement across the state,” Corder said. “Today’s arrests demonstrate the FBI’s commitment to fostering safer communities for the citizens of Arkansas, and we will continue to collaborate with our federal, state, and local partners on this shared goal.”

The people arrested Tuesday will be arraigned Thursday in front of federal Magistrate Jerome T. Kearney.