Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the local drug task force, raided a residence in north Garland County early Friday and located an active meth lab, but the suspect being sought eluded capture.
Investigators with the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force, Garland County Sheriff's Department, Hot Springs Police Department, Arkansas State Police and Homeland Security Investigations executed a narcotics search warrant at 124 Curtis Lane, located off the 6300 block of Park Avenue.
The Garland County Tactical Response Team was used to make entry to the residence and secure the scene and upon making entry, the target of the operation, identified as Rodney Blocker, 43, fled out of a camper on the property and was unable to be located Friday, a news release from Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Lawrence, DTF project director, said.
In searching the camper, investigators reportedly located four firearms, a quarter of an ounce of meth, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia along with an active meth lab and a large amount of components to manufacture meth.
The state crime lab assisted in processing the lab, the release said, and Arkansas State Police's aircraft section assisted in the raid.
A pickup stolen out of Sheridan was recovered on the property and Sheridan police were notified.
Numerous felony warrants will be applied for in the coming days for Blocker, the release said.
"Blocker has been a problem in Garland County for some time and shutting down his operation in North Garland County will be beneficial to the community," Lawrence said in the release.
Local on 06/09/2018