April 28, 2026

BILOXI, Miss. —The Arkansas State Police (ASP) Interstate Criminal Patrol (ICP) was honored with multiple top awards at the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Awards in Biloxi on April 28, 2026, including Agency of the Year and Officer of the Year.

The ICP team was recognized as the 2025 Agency of the Year for leading the region in illegal narcotics seizures, including 1,154 pounds of methamphetamine, 750 pounds of cocaine, 127 pounds of fentanyl, 17,700 pounds of marijuana, 74 pounds of THC wax, 4.6 pounds of heroin, and 1,200 pounds of THC edibles and vape products. Troopers also recovered 28 weapons and 20 vehicles tied to criminal activity.

Corporal Chris Short was named Officer of the Year for seizures that included 1,443 pounds of marijuana, 400 pounds of cocaine, 41 pounds of THC wax, nearly 75 pounds of fentanyl, more than $1 million in drug proceeds, two weapons, and seven vehicles. The total estimated street value of those seizures exceeded $12 million.

Colonel Mike Hagar, who was elected Chairman of the Gulf Coast HIDTA in 2025, said, “These awards reflect the dedication of our Troopers and the strength of our partnerships across the Gulf Coast. Their work is helping remove dangerous drugs, weapons, and criminal proceeds from our highways and making Arkansas and the region safer.”

The Gulf Coast HIDTA includes agencies from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida, all positioned along major drug corridors connecting the Southwest Border to the East Coast and Midwest.

ASP’s ICP team was recognized in 2022, 2023, and 2024 as Team of the Year, and this was the fourth consecutive year an ASP Trooper was named Officer of the Year.