§ 12-17-101 - Definitions.

12-17-101. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Drug crime" means a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense prosecuted in district court or circuit court that violates:

(A) Any provision of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, 5-64-401 et seq., or any solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, 5-64-401 et seq.;

(B) Any criminal violation of state law, or any solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to violate state law, committed for the purpose of unlawfully acquiring, obtaining, manufacturing, purchasing, procuring, possessing, distributing, delivering, shipping, or transporting controlled substances, prescription drugs, drug paraphernalia, or precursor chemicals or components used to manufacture controlled substances;

(C) Any criminal violation of state or federal law, or any solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to violate state or federal law involving the use or possession of any fraudulent, falsified, forged, or altered identification card or document evidencing the identity of an individual, issued or purportedly issued by any state, federal, or foreign government, for the purpose of unlawfully acquiring, obtaining, manufacturing, purchasing, procuring, possessing, distributing, delivering, shipping or transporting controlled substances, prescription drugs, drug paraphernalia, precursor chemicals or components used to manufacture controlled substances;

(D) Any criminal violation of state or federal law, or any solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to violate state or federal law, for the purpose of committing any act that constitutes money laundering, as defined by 5-42-204, of proceeds and profits related to violations of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, 5-64-401 et seq.; or

(E) Any criminal violation of state or federal law or any solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy thereof, involving any firearm, deadly weapon, or explosive device used or possessed with intent to use:

(i) To enforce or facilitate any criminal act defined under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, 5-64-401 et seq.; or

(ii) To commit a criminal offense defined by Arkansas law that intimidates, threatens, injures, maims, or kills any law enforcement officer, prosecutor, judicial officer, or any other court official, witness, informant, or juror involved in the investigation or prosecution of any violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, 5-64-401 et seq.;

(2) "Investigate" means any law enforcement activities directed toward drug crimes, including without limitation prevention, eradication, investigation, and interdiction;

(3) "Law enforcement agency" means:

(A) Any county sheriff's office of any county in this state;

(B) Any municipal police department of an organized city or town within this state; and

(C) The Department of Arkansas State Police;

(4) "Multi-jurisdictional drug crime task force" means an association consisting of a minimum of two (2) law enforcement agencies and one (1) prosecuting attorney acting by agreement to jointly investigate and prosecute drug crimes in a defined geographic area or judicial district; and

(5) "Prosecuting attorney" means the elected prosecuting attorney for any judicial district, including without limitation appointed deputies and investigators.