SPRINGDALE (KFSM) — According to Lt. Derek Wright with Springdale Police, the Investigation Division of the Department of Homeland Security served multiple search warrants across Northwest Arkansas Thursday morning (May 26).
According to Bryan Cox with the Department of Homeland Security, the warrants were served in connection to an ongoing federal investigation. Cox said they were in connection to a federal human trafficking investigation.
The Springdale Police Department assisted with the search warrants that were located within the city limits of Springdale, a press release states. The homes where the warrants were served were on Conner Street, Patti Avenue, Emily Circle Drive and Butterfield Coach Road.
5NEWS was on the scene at a home on Connor Street that was under investigation. At least one person was taken into custody.
Cox also confirmed search warrants were served in Fayetteville and Springdale, and the Rogers Police Department said their officers also served several search warrants for DHS within city limits. He said there were nine state search warrants issued Thursday.
Cox said the investigation is being coordinated through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas.
According to the Department of Homeland Security website, the Investigation Division has the authority to investigate all types of cross-border criminal activity, including:
- Financial crimes, money laundering and bulk cash smuggling,
- Commercial fraud and intellectual property theft,
- Cybercrimes,
- Human rights violations,
- Human smuggling and trafficking,
- Immigration, document and benefit fraud,
- Narcotics and weapons smuggling and trafficking,
- Transnational gang activity,
- Export enforcement,
- International art and antiquity theft.
