ASP touts multiple arrests, massive drug, weapons seizures in November alone

LITTLE ROCK (WMC) - Arkansas State Police (ASP) has announced an array of successful arrests and contraband seizures completed in the first weeks of November.

State troopers have arrested 10 people and seized more than 680 pounds of narcotics and 13 firearms from alleged traffickers traveling along Arkansas interstates.

The largest bust happened Wednesday morning in Crittenden County, where a search of a Dodge Ram pickup on I-40 East revealed a hidden stash of 211 pounds of marijuana and two handguns.

The driver, identified as 30-year-old Michael Penilton of Lamar, Mississippi, was arrested and now faces felony charges of possession with intent to deliver and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.

Monday, November 18

On Monday, troopers in Pope County found 93 pounds of marijuana, 10 pounds of THC wax, 1,000 vape cartridges, more than $21,000 in cash, and a pistol in a Ford Fusion traveling on I-40 East near London, Arkansas.

The driver, identified as 24-year-old Graham Toth of Los Angeles, was arrested and faces felony charges of possession with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.

Toth reportedly admitted he was headed to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

State troopers in Pope County also arrested 34-year-old Richard Juritsch, of Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday after they allegedly discovered 21 pounds of marijuana in his Chevrolet Equinox. He was booked on felony charges of possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Also Monday, state troopers in Lonoke County arrested 25-year-old Cameron Martin of Memphis after 73 pounds of marijuana was reportedly found in his Toyota 4Runner.

Martin is now charged with felony possession with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate certain crimes.

Tuesday, November 12

On November 12, ASP’s search of a Ford F-150 traveling on I-40 East in North Little Rock resulted in the finding of about 130 pounds of marijuana.

The driver, identified as 65-year-old Srdjan Novakovic of La Mesa, California, was arrested and booked on felony charges of possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A Hyundai Elantra was also stopped in Pulaski County on November 12, which ASP says contained a stolen firearm, a bag of 9mm bullets, about 39 Oxycodone pills, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.

Troopers arrested 33-year-old Arron Robinson of Maumelle, Arkansas, and booked him on felony charges of possession with intent to deliver, possession of firearms by certain persons, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and multiple traffic violations.

Monday, November 11

On November 11, state troopers in Pope County stopped and searched a Nissan Sentra, resulting in the discovery of 24 pounds of marijuana.

ASP arrested 23-year-old Emon Washington of Marietta, Georgia, who is now charged with felony possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Washington allegedly told investigators he was traveling from Oklahoma City to Little Rock.

Sunday, November 10

A Chrysler Pacifica in Lonoke County was searched by state troopers on November 10. ASP says 49 pounds of marijuana was hidden inside.

The driver, an unidentified 51-year-old man from New Jersey, was arrested and booked on charges of felony possession with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and use of another person’s property to facilitate a crime.

Monday, November 4

On November 4, troopers in Conway County reportedly found 124 pounds of marijuana in a Toyota Camry traveling on I-40 East near Morrilton, Arkansas.

The driver, identified as 42-year-old Shouwei Jiang of New York, was arrested and faces felony charges of possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jiang allegedly told investigators that he was traveling from Oklahoma to New York.

Also on November 4, troopers in Morrilton stopped a Chevrolet Malibu containing 51 pounds of marijuana, resulting in the arrest of 30-year-old Wendy Hernandez of Dickinson, Texas.

She was arrested and charged with felony possession with the purpose to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hernandez reportedly told investigators she was traveling from Oklahoma to Knoxville, Tennessee.

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