Federal authorities seized a record-breaking amount of methamphetamine in West Virginia, United States Attorney Will Thompson announced March 22.
In a joint eight-month long investigation dubbed, “Operation Smoke and Mirrors,” federal and state law enforcement officials seized over 200 pounds of methamphetamine, 28 pounds of cocaine, 20 pounds of fentanyl, 18 firearms and $747,000 in cash, a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia stated. The methamphetamine bust was the largest ever recorded in the state’s history.
.@USAttyThompson, Law Enforcement Officials to Announce Largest Methamphetamine Seizure in West Virginia Historyhttps://t.co/lMxHi9ZqOr
— U.S. Attorney SDWV (@SDWVnews) March 22, 2023
In addition to the drugs seizure, 30 individuals were indicted for their alleged roles in trafficking the drugs and another 24 were charged with state criminal complaints, the release stated.
“These arrests are an outstanding example of what federal and local law enforcement can accomplish when we work together to target the individuals who threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods,” FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall stated in the release. (RELATED: Man Arrested In Connection To Michigan’s Largest Ever Fentanyl Bust, Police Say)
Nordwall issued a warning to anyone “looking to fill the void” left behind by those who were arrested in the operation. “I want you to know we are not going anywhere, and the FBI and our law enforcement partners are here to find, arrest and bring to justice those who terrorize our community with violence and drugs,” he stated.
“This investigation demonstrates that we will use all of our resources, including new and innovative investigative techniques, against those who target our communities with this poison. Our law enforcement partners worked tirelessly to dismantle this organization and obtain these indictments, and I commend their outstanding work and dedication,” Thompson said in the release.