State News

State News

State Purchases Handheld Devices to ID Drugs on the Spot

LITTLE ROCK — Thanks to new technology, state law enforcement officers will now able to identify them in less than 2 minutes. It's a simple-touse device called the TruNarc. It's handheld and uses laser technology to identify between hundreds of different drugs. 'I just hold the dope, the bag, the substance, the product, whatever you want to call it. You hold it up to it, and it's going to start analyzing,' said instructor Russell Johnson. The TruNarc filters through a library of 450 different types of drugs. It can identify any illegal substance based on the chemical compound and does it within 90 seconds. It is reported to be 100% accurate.

Johnson added,'It's taking out that element of he said, she said. And it's safe because you don't have to handle it at all because it reads through the container. But more importantly, it's knowing exactly what you're dealing with.' Right now, there are only five in Arkansas, but they will be spread throughout the state focusing on major highways. Each TruNarc cost the state $29,000, and they were able to pay for it through the special state asset forfeiture fund The devices will be allocated to the State Police, Highway Police, Postal Inspectors Office, and the Benton Police Department. ***

AGFC Searching for Drowning Victim in Indian Head Lake

PULASKI COUNTY – Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) rescue crews are searching for a drowning victim in Indian Head Lake Thursday morning after a fishing boat capsized last night.

AGFC says three people were night fishing on Indian Head Lake when their boat capsized.

No life jackets were on the boat when it flipped, officials say.

All three people fell out of the boat, officials say one person fell under the boat when it flipped.

AGFC says all three swam safely to shore, but they then had to swim back across the lake to get to their truck.

While swimming back across one person became tired and drowned.

AGFC is at the scene this morning with divers to find the body. They say the lake isn't large enough to use sonar.

The family of the victim is at the scene. Authorities have not yet identified the drowning victim.