Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Drug arrest is made

A 39-year-old Okolona man was arrested and could be charged with manufacturing a controlled substance.

According to a release from the Clark County Sheriff's Office, the arrest was made Monday, July 16, with the CCSO and Group 6 Narcotics Task Force involved.

Investigators with both agencies had received information about the possibility marijuana was being grown in the Okolona area.

Officers went to the house to talk with the occupant, but found no one home at the time. They went to the rear of the mobile home trying to find whoever lived there, and saw marijuana plants being grown in the mobile home.

Shortly thereafter, Deano Prault, who lived there, arrived and allowed the officers to go inside and take the plants.

The officers were given permission and searched the premises, but found no other drugs or drug paraphernalia.

The value of the plants seized was estimated at $7,000, according to the release.

Prault wasn't arrested immediately, but formal charges of manufacturing a controlled substance, namely marijuana, are expected to be filed.

Once the arrest warrant is issued, he will be picked up and taken before Clark County Circuit Court Judge John Thomas.

Manufacture of a controlled substance in this instance is a class C felony. This carries a sentence of 3-10 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and a fine up to $10,000.