A major operation in Mississippi County leads to the arrests of 50 defendants in 40 separate indictments. 20 defendants are reportedly still on the run and are being sought by local law enforcement. United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas Christopher Thyer made the announcement in a press conference in Blytheville, along with David Resch of the FBI and 2nd Judicial District Prosecutor Scott Ellington. Dubbed Operation Blynd Justice, the two year investigation targeted increased drug and gun crime in Mississippi County. Thyer says the investigation involved a combination of federal, state, and local law enforcement in Mississippi County, including the Blytheville and Osceola Police Departments. Thyer tells KASU news how the operation started.
“This operation was the culmination of work that has been done in Blytheville and Mississippi County. It began when the lone Drug Task Force developed sources within Blytheville that led them to very violent gun dealers and very violent drug dealers.”
Early yesterday morning, almost 600 law enforcement officers executed arrest warrants. According to a news release, of the 70, twenty are fugitives and most of the defendants are reportedly in Blytheville. Over a period of a year and a half, Thyer alleges that more than 160 controlled purchases of drugs and/or firearms took place, resulting in the purchasing of more than 19 pounds of methamphetamine and 89 illegally possessed firearms. More than 10 ounces of crack cocaine was purchased in the investigation. Thyer says Operation Blynd Justice was a success:
“It shows the commitment that my office has made through the entire Arkansas Delta to give good citizens of these communities their communities back. Too often, violent elements of drug dealers have taken over some of these communities and that is no fault of the local law enforcement. It shows that police are overwhelmed in this battle and I am happy to use all of the resources of my office to help in this effort.”
The eastern part of Arkansas has been the breeding ground of four major operations that led to numerous arrests of defendants involving drugs and weapons charges, with much of those operations taking place from Blytheville down to Helena-West Helena. Thyer says there have also been a lot of arrests that have happened outside of the major operations. Thyer recognizes that many in Blytheville and Mississippi County may still be concerned about the future of their communities, despite the arrests of the individuals.
“There will be a period of time where there is peace on the streets of Blytheville. There will be a period of time where there is no drug dealing going on, at least from these individuals. In my opinion, the entire operation is worth it; but even if it is not, if for no other reason, this gives Blytheville a chance to catch their breath and to help us rid their community of these criminal elements. This makes the operation worth it.”
The defendants face numerous indictments and will be arraigned in federal court in Little Rock Thursday morning. Additional investigations continue at this time.
