Sheriff display illegal drugs, assault rifles, firearms, and currency seized in Pine Bluff/Jefferson County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Major Lafayette Woods, Jr.

Operation Commander/Public Information Officer

870.541.5351-OFFICE/870.329.5652-CELL

Email: lafayette.woods@jeffcoso.org

SHERIFF; DRUG RAID NETS TRAFFICKERS, CRACK COCAINE, ILLEGAL WEAPONS FOR TRI-COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE: Jefferson County, Arkansas - September 2, 2017 - A multi-agency drug bust in Pine Bluff wrapped up late Friday, and so far, 8 people are behind bars.

The raid involved dozens of law enforcement officers from the Tri-County Drug Task Force, Pine Bluff Vice & Narcotics Unit, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Pine Bluff Police Department following several weeks of undercover investigations led by Acting Tri-County Drug Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Yohance Brunson.

During the raid conducted at approximately 7:50 p.m. on Friday evening, investigators descended upon 2100 block of West 23rd Avenue and 2300 block of Spruce Street in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team along with Pine Bluff Vice & Narcotics Unit executed two search warrants simultaneously. During the searches, investigators located approximately 8 grams of suspected crack cocaine. Investigators estimated the total street value of the illegal substances to be worth approximately $800.00. Also located during the search were 2 pistols, 1 stolen revolver, 2 assault rifles, and $2,610.00 in cash.

Arrested were Kedrick Johnson, 35; Ashton Jackson, 32; Kendall Moore, 30; Andre Heard, 40; Hasheem Packard, 24; Trekenya Marshall, 34; Jackie Gibson, 50 and Tia O’Neal, 23, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. They were arrested and charged with 1 count of possession of a controlled substance; 1 count of possession of a controlled substance; 1 count of possession of a controlled substance with purpose; possession of firearm by certain person and theft by receiving; simultaneous of drugs and firearms, 1 count of possession of a controlled substance with purpose, active felony warrant arrest; misdemeanor warrant arrest; possession of firearm by certain person, 1 count of possession of a controlled substance; misdemeanor warrant arrest respectively.

"We all know that the drug epidemic here in our city and county is a serious one but one that we all remain committed to fighting. We as a law enforcement agency also recognize that we are a long way from winning the war on drugs but its winning fights like this that result in multiple arrests and the seizure of illegal weapons that keep us fighting to rid this community of illegal drugs and the individuals that distribute them," said Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Operations Commander & Spokesman Major Lafayette Woods, Jr.

All 8 people arrested were transported to the W.C. “Dub” Brassell Adult Detention Center and held until their initial appearance or until a bond can be set.