Bella Vista Drug Bust Follows Police Crackdown on Violence

Police say a recent drug bust in Bella Vista is part of a wider effort to crack down on violence in the community. Forty-year-old Roman Gamboa has been arrested and charged for drug trafficking following a joint operation by specialized police units on Thursday, July second. Authorities say they have increased patrols in the area after a string of violent crimes believed to be tied to the drug trade. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith explains what officers found during the latest operation.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“The arresting officer reported that Gamboa was observed digging in the soil in an open lot in an area that is known to be used by peddlers of drugs. And when the officers approached, he began to walk off, and he was observed throwing a plastic. He was taken to where the plastic landed, and that plastic was retrieved, and it was observed to contain fifteen small foils, aluminum foils, each containing suspected crack cocaine. Gamboa was also taken back to the location some ten feet away where he was observed digging, and additional fifteen small foils of suspected crack cocaine were discovered. As a result of these findings, Gamboa was charged for two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply to weigh two-point-nine-two grams and three-point-four-four grams of crack cocaine, respectively. Since last year, the Bella Vista area has – became an area of interest. We know there were several incidents and as I indicated then, they were suggested to be fueled by the sale of drugs. Strategic changes, administrative changes were deployed. And though what is often reported is solely when persons are arrested, I can also confirm that even on that day, a number of major seizures were made of farm property, but I don’t normally report on farm property. So, the operations in that area continue. As we see, as we continue to see drugs, the sale of drugs certainly cause a rift in society on different levels.”

 

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