Large-scale drug investigation leads to more than twenty arrests

CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — On July 30, 2024, the West Virginia State Police Martinsburg Bureau of Criminal Investigations office and the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force (made of law enforcement members from Federal, State, County, and City agencies) executed multiple arrest and search warrants in Berkley and Jefferson counties. Elsewhere, assisting agencies targeted multiple locations dealing with out of state targets and into Puerto Rico at the same time.

This was the pinnacle of an investigation that began in May 2021. As a result of the multi-state drug investigation, involving West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, as well as Puerto Rico and Mexico, 25 individuals were indicted on 63 felony counts.

The investigations resulted in the seizure of more than 4 kilograms of cocaine, 1.5 ounces of fentanyl, 3.5 kilograms of pressed fentanyl, 600 grams of heroin, 2.5 kilograms of black tar heroin, 1 pound of crystal methamphetamine, and 17 firearms.

In addition, arrest and search warrants executed today lead to the seizure of 5 ounces of cocaine, 1 ounce of marijuana, a multitude of Xanax bars, an approximate $4,000, 6 firearms, 200 rounds of pistol ammunition, 50 rounds of .556 ammunition, and a drug press.

21 individuals of the 25 indicted were arrested, and another drug arrest was conducted at the time notification was given.

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