LITTLE ROCK — When the shakedown began at the Miller County jail, the toilets started gurgling.
Contraband, authorities suspect, was being flushed.
But inmates couldn't dump the half-dozen cell phones,makeshift rope, conduit, heavy wooden posts, wire, crudely fashioned knives, saw blades and scores of other items seized in an orchestrated sweep at the Texarkana lockup earlier this week.
"I don't know the words to use," Sheriff Ron Stovall saidbetween searches. "It's been a tremendous amount of contraband."
On Wednesday he said he was considering whether any inmates would face charges concerning the seized contraband.
The raid, which included strip searches of the roughly 250inmates in the maximum- security section of the jail, was critical in improving the safety and security at the lockup, which saw 13 escapes and numerous arrests of guards last year, said Stovall, who took office at the first of the year.
Stovall vowed to transform the sheriff's office and the jail when he won election. Linda Rambo, the previous sheriff, took criticism for the security problems and the deterioration of the facilities.
Stovall and his administration, which includes retiredlawmen from state and federal agencies who are serving as top administrators, have ushered in broad changes, including tougher hiring standards, mandatorytraining and new policies.
Turning around the jail has been a top priority.
"This is a monumental task, and it's just going to take lots of time," Stovall said, a line he has repeatedly offered since his first week on the job.
Authorities said Tuesday's search was likely the first of its kind at the jail.
The sweep lasted about six hours into the evening and required extra help from several agencies. Just under 40 SWAT and special operations officers from the Texarkana Police Departments on both sides of the state line secured inmates while jailers and Department of Community Correction guards netted the contraband.
Four state troopers stood by outside in case of trouble.
The confiscated weapons were of particular concern to authorities.
"At this point, I'm amazed that someone, especially during the previous administration ... wasn't injured or killed," said Texarkana (Ark.) Police Chief Robert H. Harrison, who said the only support the previous administration sought from his department was helping to track down escapees.
Among other items seized Tuesday were marijuana, tobacco, tools and a handful of over-the-counter medications.
Authorities also found a batch of "homemade hooch," said investigator Don Thornell.
"It was nasty stuff," he said describing the fermented concoction apparently made of beans, rice, orange and water.
Most of the illicit items were found in the ceiling, where inmates had damaged and removed tiles. Stovall said he is working with the jail builder to remove the tiles.
Arkansas, Pages 7, 9 on 01/29/2009