VAN BUREN - Four area residents are behind bars after a six-month investigation by the 12th/21st Judicial District Drug Task Force implicated them in a drug trafficking operation.
Robert Parmenter, Lori Ann Thomas, Michael Cruise, and William Jones were arrested late last week at a residence outside of Alma, after investigators executed a search warrant at the home. According to Drug Task Force Coordinator Paul Smith, officers seized
eight pounds of crystal methamphetamine in assorted backs of varying weight, drug paraphernalia including packaging and scales, and approximately $30,000 in cash.
The wholesale value of the drugs seized was around $96,000.
Each suspect was detained on multiple drug charges. Because a small child was present at the residence during the search, Thomas was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor. Parmenter was also charged with maintaining a premises for drug sales.
The Drug Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Fort Smith Police Department, the Greenwood Police Department, and the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office. They are currently conducting narcotic investigations in both Sebastian and Crawford Counties, under the direction of 12th District Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Shue, and 21st District Prosecuting Attorney Marc McCune.
Smith says that the DTF and partner agencies will be conducting enforcement action in the next 90 days on other targets involved in drug trafficking organizations.