Regional Drug Task Force Wraps Up Two-Month Narcotics Investigation

The 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force has concluded a two-month investigation into illegal narcotics distribution across the district, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of drugs and firearms.

The operation, carried out in partnership with several local law enforcement agencies, involved executing search warrants, conducting traffic stops, and identifying suspects throughout the region. According to officials, the investigation led to the seizure of the following substances and items:

- 1,472.2 grams of methamphetamine - 52 grams of MDMA (Ecstasy) - 10 grams of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) - 25 grams of cocaine - 15 firearms

Several individuals now face felony charges in connection with the operation. The following suspects have been charged in Independence County:

- **Walter Refrow**: Delivery of methamphetamine (Class Y and Class B felonies). - **Quincy Cook**: Two counts of delivery of methamphetamine (Class B felonies), delivery of methamphetamine less than two grams (Class C felony), possession of methamphetamine (Class Y felony), simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm (Class Y felony), and maintaining a drug premises (Class B felony). - **Tevin Dean**: Four counts of delivery of cocaine (Class C felonies). - **Shelby Chiaromonte**: Possession of methamphetamine, 2-10 grams, with intent to deliver (Class B felony). - **Michael Tilley**: Possession of methamphetamine, 2-10 grams, with intent to deliver (Class B felony). - **Jerry Edward**: Possession of a Schedule I controlled substance (Ecstasy, Class D felony) and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms (Class Y felony). - **Michael Nails**: Possession of methamphetamine less than two grams (Class D felony) and possession of drug paraphernalia (Class D felony). - **Janie Rollins**: Three counts of introducing a Schedule I or II controlled substance into another person’s body (Class Y felonies).

The investigation was supported by the Arkansas State Police, U.S. Marshals Service, and the sheriff’s offices and police departments of Independence, Cleburne, Izard, Sharp, Stone, and Fulton counties, along with municipal police departments in the cities of Batesville, Heber Springs, Mountain View, Quitman, Concord, Greers Ferry, Salem, and Mammoth Spring.

The 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force expressed thanks to these agencies for their collaboration in the effort to combat illegal drug distribution. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.