Police: Paragould Man Threw Meth Onto Roof as Agents Approached

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Paragould man faces seven felony charges after police alleged he sold methamphetamine during two controlled purchases and later threw a bag of suspected meth onto an apartment building’s roof as agents approached with a search warrant.

Christopher Milan, also known as “Nephew,” was arrested July 17 following an investigation by the Paragould Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Investigator Jared Cook reported that officers arranged controlled purchases from Milan on June 30 and July 6. Before each purchase, investigators searched a confidential informant and the informant’s vehicle, provided official buy money and equipped the informant with surveillance equipment.

Police said investigators watched the informant enter Milan’s apartment and monitored both transactions. The informant allegedly purchased approximately 28.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine during the first operation and 28.8 grams during the second.

Both substances tested positive for methamphetamine during preliminary field testing, according to the affidavit. Investigators alleged that text messages were used to arrange the transactions.

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Police executed a search warrant at Milan’s apartment on West Kingshighway on July 17.

Cook reported watching Milan retrieve a clear plastic bag from an opening in a column outside the apartment and place it in his pocket. When Milan noticed agents approaching, he allegedly removed the bag and threw it onto the building’s roof.

Agents detained Milan and found additional suspected methamphetamine, suspected cocaine, packaging materials and precut plastic bags hidden inside openings in two columns, the affidavit said. The Paragould Fire Department brought a ladder to the scene so investigators could retrieve the bag from the roof.

During a search of the apartment, police reported finding $1,600 inside the pocket of an orange hoodie. Investigators seized the money after alleging it represented proceeds from drug sales.

Police estimated that the substances recovered during the search weighed approximately 2.5 ounces of methamphetamine and half a gram of cocaine. Both substances produced positive preliminary field-test results, according to the affidavit.

During an interview after his arrest, Milan allegedly told investigators he had been selling drugs for approximately four months. The affidavit quotes him as saying, “Y’all caught me red handed.”

Milan faces two Class Y felony counts of delivering between 10 and 200 grams of methamphetamine or cocaine; one Class A felony count of possession of methamphetamine with the purpose to deliver; two Class C felony counts of unlawful use of a communication device; one Class D felony count of tampering with physical evidence; and one Class D felony count of possessing drug paraphernalia.

The affidavit also lists two sentencing enhancements alleging the controlled purchases occurred near protected facilities. Investigators placed the apartment approximately 500 feet from Woodrow Wilson School and 130 feet from Redeemer Lutheran Church.

District Judge Curtis Hitt set Milan’s bond at $250,000 cash or surety. If released, Milan must wear an ankle monitor and may not possess a weapon.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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