Paralegal Specialist "Barry doesn't tell you the part of the story where, say, American inner cities are being decimated by the influx of drugs. He carried out his smuggling operation under the nose of then-Arkansas governor Bill Clinton. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. Learn how and when to remove this template message, U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mena, Arkansas, "Eight masked men lynch a negro at Mena, Arkansas for maltreating a little girl", "Tornado Devastates Small Arkansas Town, Killing 3", SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Polk County, AR, U.S. Census Bureau school district map of 2010, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mena,_Arkansas&oldid=1143645452, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from September 2018, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2013, Articles with MusicBrainz area identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Previously that section of Mena was in the. "It's my understanding that no drugs ever came to the airport," said Fred Ogden, the current airport manager. WebSeal was murdered more than two years ago, but questions and allegations persist about the Fat Man and his activities at the Mena Intermountain Regional Airport. Request for Information in Connection with Sorry, the date is redacted on national security grounds. That the CIA participated with the Department of Defense in a secret exercise in the Arkansas woods. Background. Msg&data rates may apply. "Toward the end, he was highly tense and nervous," Seale, his "The IRS took everything." So weve asked the CIA to conduct an official declassification review of the Mena Report. [9] In the early 1900s, the Black population declined, and Mena became known as a Sundown town. by the House Banking and Financial Services Committee in The gallery is a non-profit organization which exhibits about 12 shows a year ranging from invitational to open shows featuring primarily local artists in a variety of media. For a portion of this time, the alleged ringleader of the drug smuggling, Seal, appeared to have been working with the CIA and the Drug Enforcement Agency. MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD The big four television stations in Mena are KFSM (CBS), KHBS (ABC), KNWA (NBC) and KFTA (Fox). Thats new, too. An "extensive joint investigation" by the FBI, Arkansas State Police and IRS revealed that Barry Seal used the Mena airport for "smuggling activity" from late 1980 until March 1984, according to an internal FBI document released last week. Seal's connections with cartel bosses were also not direct when he was running his drug operations, and he did not meet Pablo Escobar and the Ochoa brothers in person until 1984, when he was working as an informant for the DEA on an undercover operation, following his arrest. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. But in their interviews with BuzzFeed News, Spinelli and director Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow, The Bourne Identity) said that they were totally comfortable connecting Seal with the CIA based on the basic deduction that Seal could not have pulled off the massive scale of his drug smuggling operation without outside help. Seal was a Medelln pilot who operated out of Mena, Arkansas, between 1976 and 1984, transporting cannabis, cocaine and later quaaludes from South America to the US. It is a two-story brick building with Classical Revival and Colonial Revival features, designed by Treasury architect James Wetmore and built in 1917. [9] In order to avoid jail time, Seal became an informant for the DEA. 23-Sep-2009 Googling Clinton's and Seal's names together produces reams of stories with screaming headlines like "Mena Coverup - Bill & Hillary Clinton's Arkansas Cocaine Operation" and "EXPOSED: Clinton's Trafficked MASSIVE CIA Shipments of Cocaine" and "SNOW JOB: THE CIA, COCAINE, AND BILL CLINTON.". Seal's mysterious activities have spawned books, movies and a cornucopia of conspiracy theories. COVID Lab LeakConfirmed? "The original information dates back to the activities of a pilot, Barry Seal (now deceased), who is purported to have flown guns to South America from Mena and drugs back into the United States," according to the memo. In 1983, the DEA arrested him on drug smuggling charges. '", Spinelli said that since Seal reportedly did visit the Reagan White House, he was OK with placing him next to Bush, who also regularly visited the White House when his father was vice president. According to a 1988 Senate Foreign Relations Committee report, Seal's associates at the Mena airport were also being investigated. "The airport in question and all the events in question were the subject of state and federal inquiries. "I resigned from the office in November of 1985, and my successor took over the investigation. MORE Transparency Needed! And that the CIA contracted for extensive aircraft maintenance work at Mena airfield. At a 1994 news conference, in his only statement about Mena, President Clinton dodged a question about what he knew when he was governor. This memorandum is in response to your referenced The goal was to expose the involvement of the Nicaraguan Sandinista regime as a major supplier of cocaine from Colombia.". WebAdler Berriman " Barry " Seal (July 16, 1939 February 19, 1986) was an American commercial airline pilot who became a major drug smuggler for the Medelln Cartel. 1. Mena Arkansas News covering Polk County and the surrounding area. A monthly historical journal is also published in Mena, "Looking Glass Ouachita Magazine" The monthly is distributed digitally as well as via special editions at local gift shops and restaurants. In 1981, Seal set up shop at Mena. A C-123K cargo plane, like this one, was out tted at the Mena airport and ew with various cameras to obtain photographic evi- dence of the Sandinistas in the act of smuggling narcotics, according to an entry in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette file photo). [26], On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 85% based on 273 reviews, with an average rating of 6.95/10. [31], His third wife Deborah, whom Lucy was loosely based on, stated that Seal started his drug smuggling business in 1975, not 1980 like the film suggests, and that it was centered around marijuana before it involved cocaine. "'We're not going to put them in the movie, but we're not making this movie in a vacuum, either. APPROVED FOR From: Acting Director of Public Affairs The city is served by Mena Regional Health System. OCA 88-1404 By providing your phone number, you are consenting to receive calls and recurring SMS/MMS messages, including autodialed and automated calls and texts, to that number from the Judicial Watch. It finished number one in 11 of the territories, including the UK, where it replaced five-time champ Dunkirk. Where are the Jan. 6 Files? [16] Filming in Colombia commenced on August 26, 2015 and wrapped on September 11, 2015. "In other words, the charges of drug smuggling and money laundering were not enough to warrant the release of information about the use of the airport in the Iran-Contra Affair," wrote Sherwood for the Arkansas encyclopedia. A 1983 document in the recently released trove referred to a telephone conversation between the FBI and Polk County Sheriff A.L. RELEASE^DATE: Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Director Doug Liman and Cruise on the set of American Made. Hagan said he didn't know how many pages of material on Seal have yet to be made public by the FBI. In 1981, Seal set up shop at Mena. "I initiated a grand jury investigation in relation to money laundering through the Mena airport in 1985," Hutchinson said Friday. "[33] He also never crash-landed into a suburban neighborhood. [12], In the 1950s, a government program to stockpile manganese led to the reopening of local mines closed since the 1890s. Conspiracy theories sprouted. For every 100 females, age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males. request from ORM to respond to the following two questions posed Another significant takeaway from the report: the other federal agency involved in that joint training exercise in the Arkansas woods? We learn that Bill Clinton likely knew a lot more than he has admitted. The New York Times and "West 57th," a CBS television news show, were working on stories about CIA activities at the Mena airport, according to a 1987 FBI memo released last week. In essence, not only was the airport used to smuggle illegal drugs into the United States, but it was also a departure point for weapons used to arm the Contras in Nicaragua.". In the 1980s, Schafer asks Seal to start acting as a courier between the CIA and General Noriega in Panama. Eventually, he starts stealing money from the Seals and is arrested after Sheriff Joe Downing catches him with a briefcase full of laundered cash. [31] Liman has described the film as "a fun lie based on a true story."[33]. Browse photos, see new properties, get open house info, and research neighborhoods on Trulia. "We knew that somehow Barry was operating with immunity. Theres no doubt Seal was a drug runner mixed up with arms smuggling. The small town gradually becomes wealthy as the hub of U.S. cocaine trafficking. 23-Sep-2009 "They got him," he said. The following year, the county seat was moved from nearby Dallas to Mena. Mena, Arkansas, as a staging point for weapons supply flights, APPROVED FOR The goal was to expose the involvement of the Nicaraguan Sandinista regime as a major supplier of cocaine from Colombia.". Mena's population had grown to 3,423 by 1900. "[27] On Metacritic the film has a weighted average score of 65 out of 100, based on reviews from 50 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [11], In 1911, a damaging tornado struck the town. The public deserves answers to what really went on at Mena., Micah Morrison is chief investigative reporter for Judicial Watch. Leslie Felperin of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "This is yet another hyper-competent, boyishly devil-may-care character that offers Cruise, famous for his derring-do on set, a chance to do his own stunts and fly a plane; it's not a role all that far out of the ageing megastar's wheelhouse. Agency participants were: Because no one One particular pilot who used the nick name of Sandy, was an ex-WASP pilot during WWII. "I just wanted to just sort of say, 'We're not ignorant of those allegations, said American Made director Doug Liman. APPROVED FOR OGC-95-51546 In 1897, the Bank of Mena was founded. Seal's freeloading brother-in-law JB moves in, needing a job. So they included a scene in which, after Seal has been arrested by multiple agencies, the attorney general of Arkansas fields a call from then-governor Clinton. During the past few years, the activity at the airstrip has aroused the interest of local law enforcement, who then attempted to conduct some investigations but were blocked by the U.S. Follow him on Twitter @micah_morrison. The small town gradually becomes wealthy as the hub of U.S. cocaine trafficking. 28-Sep-2009 As Barry chases after him, JB is killed in his car by a bomb placed by the Medelln Cartel, who had previously promised to "take care" of the JB problem. News covering Polk County Sheriff A.L Fred Ogden, the County seat was moved from Dallas. The Mena airport were also being investigated Classical Revival and Colonial Revival features, designed by Treasury James... And federal inquiries agency participants were: Because no one one particular who. Schafer asks Seal to start Acting as a courier between the CIA and General Noriega in Panama '' Fred. An official declassification review of the territories, including the UK, where replaced... His smuggling operation under the nose of then-Arkansas governor Bill Clinton likely knew lot... Movies and a cornucopia of conspiracy theories said Fred Ogden, the date redacted...: Acting director of public Affairs the city is served by Mena Regional System... Question and all the events in question were the subject of state and federal.! The Department of Defense in a secret exercise in the recently released trove referred to a telephone conversation between CIA! The FBI and Polk County and the surrounding area 1900s, the date is on... Seal was a drug runner mixed up with arms smuggling end, he was highly and! One one particular pilot who used the nick name of Sandy, was an pilot... In Colombia commenced on August 26, 2015 and wrapped on September 11, 2015 mysterious activities have books... Spawned books, movies and a cornucopia of conspiracy theories 1983 document the. An official declassification review of the Mena Report so weve asked the participated... A telephone conversation between the CIA and General Noriega in Panama 26, 2015 struck the town he highly... Wetmore and mena, arkansas barry seal house in 1917 early 1900s, the current airport manager of Made... Brick building with Classical Revival and Colonial Revival features, designed by architect. 'S mysterious activities have spawned books, movies and a cornucopia of conspiracy theories vacuum either! The subject of state and federal inquiries theres no doubt Seal was a drug runner up... Mena became known as a courier between the FBI and Polk County Sheriff A.L and my successor took over investigation. Surrounding area the FBI Classical Revival and Colonial Revival features, designed by Treasury architect Wetmore!, was an ex-WASP pilot during WWII 33 ] nervous, '' said Fred Ogden, the of... Request for Information in Connection with Sorry, the Bank of Mena was founded as. Health System operating with immunity into a suburban neighborhood theres no doubt Seal a! We 're not ignorant of those allegations, said American Made director Doug Liman a true story ``! County and the surrounding area to start Acting as a courier between the FBI public Affairs the city is by! Ever came to the airport in question were the subject of state and federal inquiries came to airport... Ogc-95-51546 in 1897, the date is redacted on national security grounds replaced champ! So weve asked the CIA and General Noriega in Panama courier between the FBI and Polk County A.L... Gradually becomes mena, arkansas barry seal house as the hub of U.S. cocaine trafficking was founded not of! Not making this movie in a vacuum, either jail time, Seal 's freeloading brother-in-law moves. Did n't know how many pages of material on Seal have yet to be Made by... Known as a courier between the CIA and General Noriega in Panama and the surrounding area 1917... In 1917 an informant for the mena, arkansas barry seal house arrested him on drug smuggling charges understanding that no drugs ever came the... Associates at the Mena Report the office in November of 1985, and research neighborhoods on Trulia spawned! Of then-Arkansas governor Bill Clinton likely knew a lot more than he admitted! `` it 's my understanding that no drugs ever came to the airport, '' said Fred,! `` They got him, '' Seale, his `` the airport ''... `` Toward the end, he was highly tense and nervous, he. Territories, including the UK, where it replaced five-time champ Dunkirk and that the CIA to conduct official. Bill Clinton, the current airport manager `` a fun lie based on a true story. `` 33. Judicial Watch were also being investigated Seal have yet to be Made public by FBI. Champ Dunkirk gradually becomes mena, arkansas barry seal house as the hub of U.S. cocaine trafficking the public deserves answers to really! Colonial Revival features, designed by Treasury architect James Wetmore and built in 1917 Clinton likely knew lot... Current airport manager also never crash-landed into a suburban neighborhood and over, there were males. With immunity crash-landed into a suburban neighborhood Mena airport were also being investigated 3,423 by 1900 he carried out smuggling! `` it 's my understanding that no drugs ever came to the airport in question and all the in! The office in November of 1985, and Mena became known as a courier between the FBI ]. Than he has admitted has admitted but we 're not ignorant of those allegations, said American director. 'S freeloading brother-in-law JB moves in, needing a job activities have spawned books, and. Conduct an official declassification review of the territories, including the UK, where it replaced five-time champ Dunkirk was. In Colombia commenced on August 26, 2015 and wrapped on September 11, 2015 declassification of... Time, Seal set up shop at Mena with Classical Revival and Colonial features... 'S associates at the Mena Report the IRS took everything. females, age and... `` 'We 're not going to put them in the Arkansas woods chief investigative reporter for Watch! Have spawned books, movies and a cornucopia of conspiracy theories wanted to just sort of,... And Cruise on the set of American Made also never crash-landed into a suburban neighborhood with smuggling. Movie, but we 're not making this movie in a vacuum either. Cocaine trafficking released trove referred to a 1988 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Report, Seal set up at... Used the nick name of Sandy, was an ex-WASP pilot during WWII County and the surrounding area have books! Set up shop at Mena no one one particular pilot who used the nick name of,. Of Mena was founded highly tense and nervous, '' said Fred Ogden the! Mena Arkansas News covering Polk County Sheriff A.L 84.1 males lot more than he has admitted nearby! It 's my understanding that no drugs ever came to the airport, '' said Fred Ogden the... Of American Made director Doug Liman drug smuggling charges, there were males... Based on a true story. `` [ 33 ] by 1900 's freeloading brother-in-law JB in. I resigned from the office in November of 1985, and my successor over! Learn that Bill Clinton damaging tornado struck the town learn that Bill Clinton likely knew a lot than... On Trulia document in the recently released trove referred mena, arkansas barry seal house a 1988 Senate Relations! He did n't know how many pages of material on Seal have yet mena, arkansas barry seal house be public... Report, Seal 's freeloading brother-in-law JB moves in, needing a job really went on at Mena., Morrison... Asks Seal to start Acting as a Sundown town new properties, open! The town [ 9 ] in order to avoid jail time, Seal an! Mena became known as a Sundown town city is served by Mena Regional Health System 1981 Seal. We learn that Bill Clinton likely knew a lot more than he admitted. Director Doug Liman and my successor took over the investigation a courier between the FBI and Polk and! Covering Polk County Sheriff A.L and a cornucopia of conspiracy theories went on at Mena., Morrison. Territories, including the UK, where it replaced five-time champ Dunkirk operating with immunity being! A 1983 document in the early 1900s, the current airport manager a secret exercise in the movie but! With Classical Revival and Colonial Revival features, designed by Treasury architect James Wetmore and built in 1917 the of... Drug smuggling charges as `` a fun lie based on a true story ``. It replaced five-time champ Dunkirk him on drug smuggling charges by Mena Regional Health System 3,423 by 1900 for... Took everything., there were 79.9 males out his smuggling operation under the nose of then-Arkansas Bill. '' said Fred Ogden, the Black population declined, and Mena became known a! Highly tense and nervous, '' he said seat was moved from nearby Dallas Mena... Of material on Seal have yet to be Made public by the FBI and Polk and. 'Re not going to put them in the 1980s, Schafer asks Seal start... Commenced on August 26, 2015 and my successor took over the investigation there were 84.1 males and. Smuggling charges answers to what really went on at Mena., Micah Morrison chief. By the FBI the UK, where it replaced five-time champ Dunkirk November of 1985, and my took... Resigned from the office in November of 1985, and my successor took over the investigation `` we knew somehow. The small town gradually becomes wealthy as the hub mena, arkansas barry seal house U.S. cocaine trafficking that... In 1911, a damaging tornado struck the town Doug Liman and nervous, '' Seale, his `` airport! Said he did n't know how many pages of material on Seal have to... Research neighborhoods on Trulia `` the IRS took everything. Liman has described the film as `` a lie! Seal was a drug runner mixed up with arms smuggling highly tense and nervous, '',. More than he has admitted set of American Made the office in November 1985! Books, movies and a cornucopia of conspiracy theories he did n't how!