Arkansas State Police seize 3,000 pounds of marijuana products, guns in five Crawford County traffic stops

Posted: Feb 23, 2024 / 08:00 PM CST

Updated: Feb 24, 2024 / 06:39 PM CST

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Arkansas State Police seized over 3,000 pounds of illegal contraband in five recent Crawford County traffic stops, according to a news release.

ASP pulled over a tractor-trailer carrying three vehicles eastbound on Interstate 40 near mile marker 1 around 2 p.m. on Feb. 14.

18 bags of contraband marijuana weighing over 400 pounds were found during the search concealed in trucks.

Three people were arrested and charged with possession of a scheduled VI controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor.

Jezreel Otey, 29, from Little Rock, and passengers Robert Sanders, 33, and Ciara Hewlett, 27, both from North Little Rock were booked into the Crawford County Jail. Two minors were also in the tractor-trailer.

On Feb. 20, ASP pulled over a pickup traveling from Oregon to Florida for a traffic violation.

Troopers found nine duffle bags containing over 200 pounds of illegal marijuana in 190 vacuum-sealed bags. A loaded 357 Magnum revolver was also found in a fanny pack along with nearly $4,000.

Thomas Elliott, 51, was arrested and is facing multiple charges.

The same day, ASP stopped a Chevrolet Suburban. Inside the vehicle were three large boxes containing 50 pounds of illegal marijuana. A 9mm Glock was also found.

Wynton Foy, 33, of Snellville, Ga., and De’Ja Johnson, 28, of Atlanta, Ga., were arrested on multiple drug and firearm charges.

A Silverado pickup towing an enclosed trailer was pulled over on Feb. 22 for a traffic violation.

Over 2,600 pounds of illegal marijuana vapes and 21 pounds of marijuana were found in the trailer.

Janet Arreola, 29, and Jose Escobedo, 35, both of Cumming, Ga., were arrested and charged with trafficking controlled substances and endangering the welfare of a minor.

ASP pulled over a Chevrolet Malibu on Feb. 22 and found around 4 pounds of illegal marijuana and 10 pounds of illegal marijuana products in the trunk.