On Monday, May 7, 2018 Cleburne County Detectives, along with agents from the 16th Judicial Drug Task Force executed a Search Warrant at a house in the 1200 block of Floral Road just outside Concord Arkansas after the completion of a year-long investigation. Carl Watts, 59, of Concord had been suspected by investigators of dealing large amounts of controlled substances inside Cleburne and surrounding counties, out of a house that had been dubbed the “One stop shop.” Upon execution of the search warrant, Investigators discovered a large amount of controlled substances and proceeds from suspected drug sales along with firearms and precursors for a methamphetamine manufacturing lab. Of the items seized, there was approximately 200 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 27 firearms, $66,017.00 cash, small amounts of LSD and cocaine, numerous opioid pills prepackaged for distribution, precursors and various chemicals used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, a marijuana grow, a moonshine still and finished moonshine, and 15 pounds of marijuana. Mr. Watts is currently being held at the Cleburne County jail on the following charges:

Possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, Possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, Possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, Possession of LSD with intent to deliver, Maintaining a drug premises, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, Possession of firearms by certain persons simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms

Mr. Watt’s bond was set at $250,000.

The Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office and the 16th Judicial Drug Task Force work cases together on a regular basis, and we are grateful for the help and resources they provide to help us fight the drugs in Cleburne County.  This bust is a big win for our agencies, and for the citizens of Cleburne County.  The Sheriff’s Office and the 16th DTF are committed to keeping our community safe and as drug-free as possible.  There is an ongoing investigation as to how Mr. Watts was able to obtain some of the precursors that were located in the house. 

The presence and use of meth labs has declined significantly since 2010, due to the multiple restrictions placed on obtaining precursors, stiffer penalties for manufacturing, and the increase in trafficking the drug in.  It is our hope that meth labs are not making a comeback.  If you see, hear, or smell anything that you believe might be drug related, or meth lab related, please contact our Criminal Investigation Division at (501)362-8143. 

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

-Sheriff Chris Brown