A Magness man is facing a $1.5 million bond after being arrested last week on a variety of drug-related charges.
According to 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force Commander Johnny Byler, the arrest of Antonio Moncada-Paz (pictured), 42, followed a six-month multi-agency investigation.
Court information filed last week in Independence County Circuit Court stated that authorities with the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Independence County Sheriff’s Department, and the Batesville Police Department began an investigation on Moncada this year, alleging he was a “multi-pound methamphetamine distributor operating from Mexico through a series of couriers and local dealers in Independence County and the surrounding area.”
For several months, drug task force agents and the Independence County Sheriff’s Office conducted undercover controlled drug buys from Moncada, the task force said in a release.
On Oct. 10, the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Arkansas State Police, the Newport Police Department, the Mountain View Police Department, and the Batesville Police Department executed a search warrant at Moncada’s Magness residence. According to the drug task force, authorities confiscated 4.7 pounds (2,140 grams) of methamphetamine, two firearms, and $45,384 in U.S. currency. One of the firearms was reported stolen out of White County, the release said.
The circuit court information also noted that investigators discovered Moncada had previously spent time in federal prison for trafficking meth and uses the alias Jose Antonio Lopez. He is also currently undocumented and has been deported at least once from the United States.
The drug task force said on Monday that charges presented to the prosecuting attorney’s office include two counts of trafficking methamphetamine over 200 grams; two counts of delivery of a controlled substance greater than 10 grams but less than 200 grams; simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms; possession of a firearm by certain persons while in the commission of another felony; maintaining a drug premises within 1,000 feet of a drug-free zone (a church); and theft by receiving—all felonies.
Images: Independence County Sheriff’s Office (Moncada) and the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force
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