May 3, 2024

The Arkansas State Police’s (ASP) Interstate Criminal Patrol (ICP) seized a combined 886 pounds of illegal narcotics and one handgun in the past 10 days during six traffic stops on Interstate 40.  

“ASP’s ICP team is strongly committed to ensuring the safety and security of the state’s highways, and their success in intercepting massive amounts of illegal drugs in less than two weeks is a testament to their dedication,” said ASP Colonel Mike Hagar. “Efforts like these are crucial in maintaining public safety and preventing destructive illegal activity in our communities.”

On Thursday, April 25, 2024, at approximately 7:15 p.m., ICP stopped a car hauler tractor-trailer on I-40 eastbound at the 164-mile marker in Lonoke County. During a search, Troopers found 75 pounds of illegal marijuana in three large duffle bags located in the back of one of the vehicles being transported. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed an additional 68 pounds of illegal marijuana. The driver was transporting the vehicle from Oklahoma City to Atlanta.

Four days later, on Monday, April 29, 2024, at around 3 p.m., ICP pulled over a white Lincoln Aviator on I-40 eastbound at the 175-mile marker in Lonoke County for a traffic violation. Upon searching the vehicle, Troopers discovered six duffle bags that contained vacuum-sealed packages of illegal marijuana. Each duffle bag was filled with 20 packages of unlawful marijuana, for a total weight of 120 pounds. Additionally, troopers found a 9mm handgun in the vehicle.

Troopers transported the driver, Jalen Gillispie, 24, of Spencer, Oklahoma, and the passenger, Daviauna Partee, 21, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the Lonoke County Detention Center. Gillispie was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Partee was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver. Gillispie and Partee were traveling from Oklahoma City to Memphis. 

On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, around 7 a.m., another traffic stop occurred on I-40 eastbound near the 170-mile marker in Lonoke, leading to the discovery of 31 pounds of illegal marijuana located in a Kia Sportage. Troopers arrested and transported the driver, Carlos Smith, 53, of Louisville, Kentucky, to the Lonoke County Detention Center, where he was booked and charged with Possession With Purpose to Deliver of a Controlled Substance, Unauthorized Usage of Property, and Improper Lane Change.

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, Troopers stopped a Toyota Corolla near the 102-mile marker on I-40 eastbound around 7:15 a.m. in Conway County for a traffic violation. Upon searching the vehicle, the troopers discovered 70 pounds of illegal marijuana concealed in trash bags in the trunk of the car. The driver, Mark Williams, 71, was taken into custody and transported to the Conway County Detention Center. He was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Speeding, and Expired Tags.

On Thursday, May 2, 2024, at approximately 1:15 a.m., Troopers initiated a traffic stop on a Nissan van for a traffic violation on I-40 East at the 178-mile mark in Lonoke County. A search of the vehicle revealed boxes and suitcases containing approximately 222 pounds of marijuana in the back of the van. The driver, Marlita Williams, 44, of Hope Mills, North Carolina, was taken into custody and transported to the Lonoke County Detention Center. She was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Careless and Prohibited Driving.

On Friday, May 3, 2024, around 2 a.m., the ICP team made a traffic stop on a Sprinter Van for a traffic violation on I-40 East at the 171-mile marker in Lonoke County. The driver stated he was traveling from Los Angeles to East Point, Georgia. Troopers searched the van and discovered 11 boxes containing vacuumed sealed bags of illegal marijuana. The approximate total weight of the seized illegal marijuana was 300 pounds.