A multi-agency law enforcement effort called Operation Enforce and Remove has resulted in the arrest of 472 individuals over the past three weeks in Arkansas, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
The operation, which started on February 5, focused on individuals with prior criminal records, including violent crimes and drug offenses. It marked the largest federal immigration law enforcement effort in the state’s history.
Of the 219 individuals arrested for immigration-related charges, they came from 23 different countries.
The arrests were made in several Arkansas cities, including Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, and Texarkana.
Simultaneously, drug enforcement operations were carried out, leading to the seizure of significant quantities of illicit substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl.
In total, 225 pounds of methamphetamine, 65 pounds of cocaine, 14,542 pounds of marijuana, 2,681 fentanyl pills, and 90 grams of fentanyl powder were seized, along with 43 firearms.
Authorities stated that the total street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
This initiative represents the first phase of a broader effort to enhance public safety in Arkansas, with additional phases of enforcement expected in the future.