GARLAND CO., Ark. (KTHV) - An operation dubbed "Operation 8 Ball" has been working in the last 6 months to fight drug trafficking in Arkansas. The operation has arrested a total of 49 people in that 6 month span.
The 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force worked with the Arkansas State Police, Garland County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Hot Springs Police Department, and the U.S. Marshall Service to target "mid-level narcotic traffickers" in Garland County. They say the operation was the largest in Garland County's history.
Authorities within the operation worked by gathering evidence for prosecution against the 49 arrested. This was achieved through citizen complaints, undercover work, and law enforcement investigation. They have seized around 2 lbs. of methamphetamine which is roughly worth $90,000.
"Together with our law enforcement partners we will continue to target these criminal elements and rid our communities of some of the most violent crimes," said Special Agent in Charge of HSI New Orleans Raymond R. Parmer Jr.
While the operation is ending, authorities said that the investigation is still continuing. They expect more arrests in relation to drug trafficking.
Below is a list of the people alleged and charged in the operation:
- Kyla Sheffield
- Shaun Booth
- Shane Golden
- Connie Cox
- Danny Vanportfliet
- Jerry McCarthy
- Steven Taylor
- Isaac King
- Isaac Johnson
- Kelsey Williams
- Kim Franklin
- Robert Garner
- Josh Bowie
- Jessica Nobles
- Tyrone Harris
- Warren Fields
- Michael Clayton
- Daryl Williams
- Emily Vail
- Anthony Camden
- Stephanie Alford
- Abbie Crumpton
- Nakia Welch
- Dakota Dean
- Chrystyn Thomas
- John Loy
- Billy Fleming
- Desary Williams
- Deshon Gray
- Sherry Bonner
- Bernard Jefferson
- Berranda Walker
- Marc Grover
- Rodney Whittaker
- Justin Leeks
- Calista Sinclair
- Jimmy Palmer
- Phillip Jones
- Rusty Hewitt
- Anthony Gillespie
- Raymond Grisham
- John Martinez
- Shonnah Hewitt
- Henry Jones
- Jose Apo
- Lionell Tidwell
- Amber Urban
- Philip Starley
- Kayla Merritt