Members Of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced To Over 46 Years Combined In Federal Prison
FORT SMITH, Ark. - Drug Enforcement (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Downing and Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced the final defendants tied to a large-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in the Fort Smith area were sentenced this week.
“Methamphetamine has the ability to destroy entire communities,” stated DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, David Downing. “The victims are often children and families who live in neighborhoods where meth dealers pedal their poison. This investigation is a prime example of law enforcement working together to halt those responsible for and profiting from the spread of this vicious drug. DEA is proud to be a part of the law enforcement efforts that have helped free this area of these drug dealers who tried to take this community as their own,” said Downing.
U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “These defendants brought a significant amount of methamphetamine into the Western District of Arkansas where they sold and distributed it into our communities. The drug trafficking organization responsible has now been dismantled, and its members have been held responsible for their actions. We remain committed to working with our partners in law enforcement to identify and aggressively prosecute those who bring drugs and crime into our communities.”
According to court records, as early as November of 2013, agents with the DEA learned that large quantities of methamphetamine were being distributed out of the Fort Smith area by a multi-state drug trafficking organization led by William Alexander. During the course of the investigation agents made more than ten controlled buys and executed at least five search warrants, which resulted in the seizure of approximately nine pounds of methamphetamine.
These cases were investigated by the DEA and the Fort Smith Police Department.
Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.
