BILOXI, MISS. – Arkansas State Police’s Interstate Criminal Patrol (ICP) once again dominated the annual Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area awards held earlier this week in Biloxi, Miss., winning three individual awards, Team of the Year and Officer of the Year.
Top photo: Trooper Ana Escamilla
ASP’s outstanding performance in 2023 was recognized for collectively seizing illegal drugs with a total street value of $27.7 million, 45 vehicles, and $1.26 million in currency.
Trooper Ana Escamilla was recognized as 2023 Officer of the Year for 28 drug seizures, with a total street value of $5,678,326 and 7 currency seizures, totaling $610,755. (Editor’s Note: Escamilla is a member of the Warren High School Class of 2011.)
Individual winners:
- Sergeant Derek Nietert, largest marijuana seizure, 939 pounds
- Trooper Cody Martin, largest cocaine seizure, 145 pounds
- Trooper Escamilla, largest “other dangerous drugs” seizure, 420 bottles of Promethazine (street value $100,800)
During 2023, ASP seized over 10,386 pounds of marijuana, 353 pounds of cocaine, 56 pounds of methamphetamine, 46 pounds of fentanyl and 21 illegal weapons.
Seized drugs are sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis and then stored during prosecution. After cases are adjudicated, the drugs are transported to an incinerator for disposal. Seized weapons are destroyed, later used by law enforcement, or sold at public auction. Seized cash that is determined to be forfeited goes to prosecuting attorney in the jurisdiction where it was initially seized. Prosecuting attorneys decide how the money is distributed.