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Release [print-friendly version] Operation Tienda Hielo Nets 52 Arrests, Seizure of More Than 100 Pounds of Methamphetamine Ice APR 17 -- (Little Rock, AR) – William J. Bryant, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock District Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with Jane W. Duke, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and numerous other federal, state, and local officials were on hand today in Little Rock to highlight the results of a three-year joint drug trafficking investigation operationally dubbed “Tienda Hielo” or “Ice Store.” The investigation, which primarily focused on methamphetamine trafficking in the Batesville, Arkansas area, was initiated by local DEA agents and the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force in mid-2005 based on intelligence gathered in numerous other investigations. According to ASAC Bryant, DEA agents became aware, through multiple sources, of a large-scale methamphetamine ring in Batesville that was distributing “ice”—which is methamphetamine having a purity level greater than 80%—from Mexico. The investigation subsequently revealed that the group was not only selling portions of the shipments locally, but was also transporting and re-distributing the drugs in other cities such as Memphis, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; Des Moines, Iowa; and Indianapolis, Indiana. Federal officials highlighted the arrests of 52 individuals in connection with this investigation. Authorities were quick to point out, however, that this figure does not include many additional defendants that were charged as part of splinter or spin-off distribution cells from the organization. When included, the number of total defendants is conservatively estimated to be in excess of 65. These splinter cases also resulted in significant other drug seizures of methamphetamine and marijuana. See attached spreadsheet for additional information as to each defendant charged in connection with Operation Tienda Hielo. According to officials, Interstates 40 and 30 were the primary corridors used for transporting the drugs to Arkansas. After being produced in Mexico, the drug shipments would cross the border and wind up in one of three “hub” areas—San Diego, California; Phoenix, Arizona; or Dallas, Texas. From each of these hubs, the drugs would be routed to Arkansas and, ultimately, to Independence County. On multiple occasions, the drugs were concealed within automobiles loaded on a multi-vehicle transport carrier. Once the carrier arrived in Batesville, the vehicles would be off-loaded, driven to remote locations, and the drugs removed. “This really was a fairly savvy group of individuals,” Duke stated. “Rather than transporting large amounts of bulk currency back to Mexico and risk seizure of it on the highway, they would often take the drug proceeds and buy all manner of goods locally. They would then load vehicles full of these goods and transport the goods (and any remaining currency) back to Mexico. Once in Mexico, they would sell the goods on the street, thereby converting them back to cash.” Duke stated, “Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and devastating drug. There is no way people are able to remain ‘social’ or ‘recreational’ meth users. It eventually overtakes every aspect of a person’s life. We have seen case after case where people think they can use methamphetamine occasionally and still maintain a family, a career, a home, and their health. But, the addictive nature of this drug is such that you simply cannot. Eventually, the acquisition and use of methamphetamine completely consumes a user. Left in the wake are broken families, ruined careers, repossessed homes, and serious health problems.” During the course of this investigation, agents seized over 100 pounds of methamphetamine ice. According to DEA reporting, the average national price for a gram of ice, which is a common user amount, rose to $244 last year. Thus, if the drugs seized in this case had been sold in gram quantities, it would have yielded over $11 million dollars for this particular group. Even if it had been sold in larger quantities such as by the pound, it would have grossed well over $2,000,000. “Fortunately, we are seeing some real progress in the war on methamphetamine,” Duke said. “We see this progress firsthand through investigations like Operation Tienda Hielo. We also see this progress echoed in the national drug statistics, which reflect a rise in the price of methamphetamine, a lower number of methamphetamine seizures, and a lower level of overall drug purity. All of this tells us that we are seriously and negatively impacting the illegal methamphetamine trade.” Last year, federal officials seized a total of approximately 2,770 pounds of methamphetamine. This figure represents the lowest seizure amount since 2002. ASAC Bryant stated, “This operation was a textbook example of true multi-agency coordination. Through the invaluable assistance of our federal, state, and local partners, we have been able to disrupt and dismantle a significant narcotics trafficking organization with ties traceable to a violent Mexican drug cartel. Quite frankly, results don’t get much better than this.” Bryant added that contributing state and local agencies are able to equitably share in any assets seized during the course of a federal drug investigation such as this. “That’s quite significant in this case since we have seized and forfeited over $247,000 in assets.” To date, the investigation has resulted in the entry of guilty pleas by 10 individuals. Numerous federal, state, and local agencies participated in this investigation. These The Drug Enforcement Administration - Little Rock District Office, Fayetteville The DEA Little Rock District Office Task Force Group Two, which is composed The United States Attorney’s Office - Eastern District of Arkansas, Assistant United The Federal Bureau of Investigation
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