Press Release
☷Two Fugitives Arrested in Methamphetamine Conspiracy
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ( By Press Release office)
May 01,2022
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Authorities Allege Their Co - Conspirator Shot At Federal Agents LITTLE ROCK— Two Little Rock men were arrested Wednesday on federal drug conspiracy charges . Richard Smith , 48 , and Enrique Salazar - Pacheco , 22 , were charged by a grand jury in an indictment handed down on December 8 , 2021 . In November 2021 , two federal officers were conducting surveillance as part of an ongoing investigation into a methamphetamine trafficking organization that involved Smith and Salazar - Pacheco . As the agents were attempting to leave the rural area , a male later identified as Jackie Davidson , 50 , of Woodson , exited the wood line and fired multiple shots at the law enforcement officers , striking their vehicle several times . Jonathan D . Ross , United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas , announced the indictment , which charges Smith , Salazar - Pacheco , and three others with various methamphetamine and firearms charges . Smith , Salazar - Pacheco , and Abelardo Gonzalez , 46 , of Woodson , are charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture . Smith and Salazar - Pacheco are also individually charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine , and Gonzalez is charged with being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm . Salazar - Pacheco is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime . Davidson is charged with using a firearm to assault two federal agents; one Task Force Officer from the Drug Enforcement Administration ( DEA ) and one Special Agent from the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms , and Explosives ( ATF ) . Davidson is also charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence as well as attempted murder of federal officers . Jose Alonso Mena Moreno , 43 , of Woodson , is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm as well as being illegally present in the United States . “During this investigation , arrests were made at the local level , but we and our federal partners did not stop there , ” said Searcy Police Chief Steve Hernandez . “Criminals do not follow city limit boundaries , so we identified the source of these narcotics in Southwest Little Rock , where those who were supplying narcotics to citizens of Searcy were taken off the streets . ”“These arrests show the level of our officers’ commitment to continually work to bring justice to those folks that would do harm in our communities , ” said White County Sheriff Phillip Miller . “I am grateful for their service . ”This investigation is part of Operation Central Sweep . Since July 2020 , members of DEA , ATF , and Central Arkansas Drug Task Force , Searcy Police Department and White County Sheriff’s Office have seized a total of 308 . 04 pounds of methamphetamine including 5 . 7 pounds fentanyl , 2 1/2 pounds of cocaine , 24 , 000 counterfeit Oxycodone pills ( Blue M - 30s laced with fentanyl ) and 84 firearms . Little Rock Police Department has assisted in numerous arrests . Additionally , a total of 66 state and federal arrests have been made , including arrests of Gangster Disciples and members of the CJNG Cartel . An indictment only contains allegations . A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty .
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