Stone County, AR. – Starting in January 2023, the authorities in the Stone County Sheriff’s Office conducted a large-scale investigation and round-up targeting individuals involved in selling and distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other drugs. Detective Justin Meeks led this operation under the direction of the Stone County Sheriff’s Office. This operation largely consisted of undercover officers and confidential informants identifying and targeting those trafficking and selling these drugs.
On June 13, 2024, the department wrapped up the round-up, called ‘Operation Ice Stone’, and arrested and charged 30 individuals suspected of dealing drugs. Search warrants were handed out at the residences of the individuals suspected of dealing around 7 a.m., this led to multiple drug busts and some arrests. A portion of the 30 people connected to the drug trafficking were already incarcerated due to unrelated charges.
Multiple bonds have been set for the individuals including 2 bonds set at $25,000, 2 bonds for $150,000, 11 bonds set at $15,000, 1 bond at $50,000, 1 bond at $100,000, 1 bond at $40,000, 5 bonds set at $20,000, 2 bonds at $30,000, 3 bonds at $25,000, 1 bond at $75,000, and 1 bond set at $35,000.
Agencies that assisted in the arrests included the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office, Independence County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Probation and Parole, Arkansas Game and Fish, Mountain View Police Department, Heber Springs Police Department, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, Searcy County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Department of Finance Beverage Control, and Greers Ferry Police Department.
The investigation will continue into the rest of the 2024 year.
