Garland County drug task force operation leads to 29 arrests, seizures of fentanyl, meth, guns

GARLAND COUNTY, Ark. – A multi-agency drug task force said a recent operation helped to take fentanyl, methamphetamine and guns off the streets around Garland County.

Operation Blue Death was executed by members of the 18th East Judicial District Drug Task Force and targeted accused major and mid-level drug dealers in the area who authorities said dealt fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Prosecutor Michelle C. Lawrence contended that federal border policy led to a “huge increase” in the presence of counterfeit blue pills that were marked “M30” and that often had lethal amounts of fentanyl in them.

Lawrence claimed those pills, along with blue powdered fentanyl, led to the deaths of several people in Garland County already in 2024.

As part of Operation Blue Death, members of the task force seized 1.544.6 grams of methamphetamine, 190.6 grams of fentanyl and seven guns. Task force members said that was enough fentanyl to kill 2,000 members.

Authorities said there have been 29 arrests made as part of Operation Blue Death as of Friday. Officials noted that several of those arrested have also been indicted on federal charges brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Arkansas.

Officers with the Hot Springs Police Department, Garland County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Homeland Security make up the 18th East Judicial District Drug Task Force, along with the district prosecutor’s office.

Operation Blue Death remains ongoing, and authorities said further arrests could still be made as part of this investigation.

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