Tyler Man Among Many Named in Meth Probe

TEXARKANA – A Tyler man is among 31 people named in a 43-count indictment announced Tuesday in Texarkana as part of a massive methamphetamine investigation. Sam Rich, 47, joins a group of primarily Texarkana-area residents. People from both Texas and Arkansas are named in the indictment. Federal officials say arrests were made Tuesday as part of Operation Flashback, a two-year joint federal and state investigation.

Authorities say the defendants allegedly took part in mid- and high-level trafficking and distribution of methamphetamine through the Eastern District of Texas as well as to Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee. The defendants are alleged to have been responsible for trafficking and distributing more than 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine through the I-30 corridor, to Northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and beyond. A federal grand jury returned the sealed 43-count indictment on Sep. 16.

Authorities say during the course of the operation, agents have arrested approximately 75 individuals. They say they’ve also seized about six pounds of methamphetamine, large amounts of marijuana, more than $35,000 in U.S. currency, one vehicle, some 45 firearms, and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition. The investigation has led to additional arrests in the Northern District of Texas (Dallas area), including more than 16 additional defendants and the seizure of more than two kilograms of methamphetamine.