Tenth DTF makes arrests

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Erratic driving with a child in the vehicle ended in the arrest of two Hot Springs men on drug manufacturing charges Tuesday.

Tenth Drug Task Force Lt. Jason Akers said a traffic stop was made in Drew County “after a lengthy surveillance on the vehicle and its occupants“; the surveillance, Akers said, was the result of the vehicle being seen weaving on the highway.

During the traffic stop, agents learned that an unspecified quantity of ephedrine-based cold pills were inside the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle located four boxes of the ephedrine-based medicine, often used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Akers said the DTF has information the pills were being taken to a location other than Drew Couny to be used in the manufacturing of the illicit drug.

The driver of the vehicle, Charles Lee Hancock, 50, and a passenger, Tommy Smith, 26, were arrested, and each face charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the intent to manufacture. First appearances for the suspects have not been conducted. A third person was inside the van at the time of the incident, Akers said, but was not arrested. A small child was also inside the vehicle.