A multiagency raid on a local residence early Friday resulted in the arrest of two suspects after almost half a pound of meth and 10 guns were found.
Barbara Jean Cordero, 37, and George Monroe Walston, 48, both listed residents of 158 Jaguar Trail, were taken into custody at the residence and each charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, punishable by up to life in prison, possession of meth with purpose to deliver, punishable by up to 30 years, maintaining a drug premises and distribution of a controlled substance near certain facilities, each punishable by up to 20 years, and theft by receiving of a firearm, punishable by six to 10 years.
Walston was also charged with a felony count of tampering with physical evidence, punishable by up to six years, for allegedly trying to flush drugs down the toilet, and had two felony warrants for delivery of a controlled substance which were filed under seal.
Walston was being held on a $400,000 bond and Cordero was being held on a $150,000 bond. Both were set to appear Monday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Friday morning, officers from the DEA, the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police, the Hot Springs police Special Investigations Division, Homeland Security and Garland County sheriff's investigators executed a federal search warrant on the residence.
Located inside the residence were three bags containing a total of 201 grams or 7 ounces, almost half a pound, of white crystal powder that later tested positive for meth.
Also located were 10 firearms, including a loaded Walther P22 .22-caliber pistol; a Ruger .357-caliber revolver that was listed as stolen; a 9-mm pistol; a Sig Sauer P250 .40-caliber handgun; a Remington 12-gauge shotgun, a Colt .22-caliber rifle with no serial number; a Marlin .22-caliber rifle; a Remington derringer with no serial number; a Diamond Arms single-shot 12-gauge shotgun; and an SKS 7.62X39 mm rifle.
After being read his rights, Walston reportedly admitted he had flushed two more bags of meth down the toilet along with a bag of marijuana while the tactical team was making entry to the house. The bag of marijuana did not flush and was located in the toilet.
The affidavit notes a Cutter Morning Star school bus made its normal stop approximately 50 yards from the residence shortly after 7 a.m. while officers were still on the scene.