Law enforcement makes local drug bust

Submitted by Scott Sawyer

On Thursday April 7, 2022, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 18^th Judicial W. Drug Task Force and the Mena Police Department executed search warrants and arrest warrants on two rooms at the Executive Inn in Mena. The search warrants were the result of a months-long investigation into narcotic trafficking.

Arrested in connection to the operation were Donnie Dollarhyde, 48; Chris Cox, 38; Shane Hogan, 30; and Cody James, 21.

During the search warrant, officers recovered a large amount of methamphetamines, drug paraphernalia, cash, stolen property, and seized two vehicles.

Dollarhyde and Cox were both arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Purpose to Deliver, Maintaining a Drug Premises, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Hogan was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Carrying a Weapon.

James was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Sheriff Sawyer stated, “Operation Lights Out is a part of a larger investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in southwest Arkansas and southeast Oklahoma. We are working hard and are committed to locking up the people responsible for destroying lives and poisoning our communities with methamphetamines.

“While this was a good operation and will help make our community a little safer, we’ve got more work to do and more arrests like this coming.”

The above charges are allegations. All individuals are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.

(Eds. Donnie Dollarhyde and his cousin Travis Dollarhyde were both served warrants at Executive Inn on undisclosed charges on March 16, 2022.)

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