Untied States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld (center) along with Harrison County Prosecuting Attorney Rachel Romano (right) and Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker (left) talks about a collaborative effort between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that led to the arrests of 87 people in a North Central West Virginia drug bust. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Out of the 25 people arrested for this drug trafficking operation, seven are from Morgantown alone with a total over 10 from West Virginia and many in our region. Martinsburg. Daily News, Sports and Events from The ET. U.S. Atty. In 2009 alone, Ballengee ordered 3m hydrocodone pills. I came from Point Pleasant. "And we introduced law . The Page County Sheriff's Office reported narcotics investigators made the largest seizure of methamphetamine in department history. In addition to Mota, the news release listed those indicted in connection with the alleged operation as: All but 11 of the defendants had been arrested as of Wednesday. Manchin Hand-Delivers Tax Cut Warning to the Statehouse. A second mate and a crew member have been arrested in the. In the six years after Tug Valley opened, pharmaceutical distributors delivered nearly 11m of the most common type of opioid pill, hydrocodone. The arrests were part of the Project Huntington initiative Stuart announced on March 15 to involve more federal prosecutors in a crackdown on gun and violent crime and drug trafficking in Huntington. Published June 22, 2021 4:25 a.m. PDT Share TORONTO - Twenty people are facing rafts of charges each and more than $61 million worth of cocaine, crystal meth and marijuana was seized in what. News, Sports and Events from around Grafton and Taylor County! Martinsburg authorities look back on record drug bust. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Hourly & 8-Day Forecast. One individual charged had been deported in 2014 and reentered the US illegally. Weekly email alert sent every Tuesday and Friday afternoon for Preston County! Discovery Company. Dozens of people were arrested Tuesday in a major drug trafficking sweep in Huntington, W.Va., a city hit hard by the opioid . Our culture is so messed up. When the sun went down (Wednesday) night we were actually sitting at about 90 (arrests).. Winds light and variable. On Tuesday, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, Harrison County Prosecuting Attorney Rachel Romano and Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker announced that 87 individuals have been arrested with 78 arrests happening Tuesday all in connection to drug possession, distribution and trafficking in North Central West Virginia. Of those arrested, 54 are from Clarksburg. Years later, all of the pharmacists claim to have not seen any of this. Under oath, Wooley said he didnt remember ever seeing articles in trade magazines warning about escalating opioid addiction, or patients going from one doctor to another in search of multiple prescriptions. Its pretty much a cartel. Sheriff Mellinger said majority of the arrests are felony drug charges along with other related crimes. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much 2. The 30-count indictment alleges the operation trafficked large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride from Hagerstown to Berkeley County, West Virginia, between. Justin Byrd, 28, charged with a state misdemeanor count of possession heroin. Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Employment | Affiliates Intranet While authorities were still searching for the remaining suspects identified in the investigation as of Thursday afternoon, Calhoun and Harrah were confident they would be found. You have permission to edit this article. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. During the search, 4.5 kilos of a fentanyl/heroin mix, $40,000 in cash and several handguns were found. Opioid makers such as Purdue Pharma and Johnson & Johnson shaped the medical culture that drove the surge in prescribing of narcotic painkillers that caused todays drug epidemic. n Richwood area: Daniel Copen, Lola Copen, A.J. Click here to stay informed and subscribe to the Mountain States Trusted News Source. We knew what was going on. The FBI, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Earlier this year, McKesson paid the state $37m to settle the suit. More than 20 people charged in drug bust in Central Virginia, Shenandoah Valley. The suspects attempted to thwart law enforcement surveillance using Facebook, and encrypted communications apps like FaceTime and WhatsApp, according to the indictment. You know how it is: if I can make a million, I can make two.. Its a potential game changer for Huntington and southern West Virginia, Stuart said. "Project Parkersburg was a game changer - it netted the largest meth bust in West Virginia history and resulted in more than a dozen defendants being prosecuted by my . accounts, the history behind an article. He said 40 of the 87 arrests will be facing federal charges while 47 face state charges. According to the sheriffs office, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Attorneys office assisted in nabbing $6.5 million in drugs, guns and cash linked to Mexicos notorious Sinaloa Cartel. 9. KEYSER, W.Va. (WV News) A Keyser man remains jailed after being arrested earlier this month in what law enforcement officials believe is the largest drug bust in Keyser history. Find out what's happening in Garrett County with this weekly email alert! Updated Today's Outlook. "The origins of the sheriff's department date back to 1850 when this was the Wild West," the sheriff said. In 2007, someone anonymously tipped off the West Virginia medical board that Tiano was prescribing illegally. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Jonathan Calhoun, an assistant in the Nicholas County Prosecutors Office, said the mass arrest dealt a severe blow to the distribution of drugs in West Virginia. Its things like that you can put in front of a jury and theyre going to go, that aint right. Ihlenfeld said warrants were executed for charges including the possession and distribution of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine. In 1991, police officers seized 59 boxes containing 1080 pounds of Heroin, with a street value ranging from $2.7 billion to $4 billion. What is xylazine? All those arrested were transported to previously established areas for processing before being transported to magistrate courts for their arraignments. Hoyler faces 10 years to life in federal prison. Zombie drug seen in Cabell Co. Kanawha County man has been missing for 7 years, Man wanted for pointing handgun at person, Some parts of Columbus Zoo are getting upgrades, I-64E reopens after tractor-trailer crash in Cabell, JB McCuskey launches run for West Virginia Governor, Applications open to participate in Hillbilly Days, Waverly man arrested for abducting person with firearm, $409K to be used for affordable housing in WV, The New StormTracker 13 VIPIR Real Time Radar, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. John Ingram Police say the two men were arrested for the felony offense of possession with the intent to deliver fentanyl and possession of fentanyl. Don't Threaten. How dangerous was the Ohio chemical train derailment? Fifty years ago this summer, President Richard Nixon declared a war on drugs. Morgantown News Delivered to Your Inbox Each Week! This week's most popular news from around the State. The value was. Officers assigned to the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force have been working diligently over the past several months to identify and gather evidence against numerous individuals in Nicholas and Fayette Counties who are allegedly engaged in the sale and distribution of various controlled substances in these counties, the offices of the prosecuting attorneys said in a joint statement. $18 million, Antioch, Calif. One California raid in 2014 remains one of the biggest drug busts the U.S. has ever seen. That is a huge amount of drugs. Up until his arrest, Ballengee continued to insist that he was doing no more than filling prescriptions written by doctors. The task force said the arrests occurred after investigators made hundreds of controlled purchases of narcotics and gathered evidence to substantiate the allegations before obtaining warrants. JACKSON COUNTY, WV (WOWK) The Jackson County Sheriffs Office is leading the single largest drug investigation warrant sweeps in West Virginias history. Wooley pleaded guilty to illegally selling prescription medication and conspiracy, and went to prison for six months in 2012. The investigation also led to takedowns in California, Missouri, Ohio, New England and New York. What you need to know for today! 4:18 PM EDT, Fri August 30, 2019, Dr. Gupta explains why opioids so addictive. Officers initiated a traffic stop in the 300 block of North Huron Street around 1:40 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. In my 37 years, that is the biggest stop and the biggest amount of drugs seized from a one-vehicle stop that Ive ever seen.. The pharmacist persuaded his assistant at the drugstore, Debra Justice, to set up a medical clinic just outside Kermit and they recruited a doctor more than an hour away at Marshall Universitys medical school, Dr John Tiano. Under Trump, the jobs boom . Sign up to get our statewide obits delivered to your inbox daily. Did you encounter any technical issues? Subscribe today. The suspects transported the drugs using hidden traps in privately owned vehicles, semi-trailers, trucks, and recreational vehicles, authorities said. Shwanna Hunt, 37,. WVU faculty weigh in on aftermath of chemical spill, Clay County native honored by FBI for accomplishments as Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chocolate chemistry explained by a food scientist, Sweets with a Swiss twist for Valentine's Day, Ask an expert: 7 most common questions about automatic home generators, One A Day: Small Daily Acts of Self-Care Go a Long Way to Health. "That is a snapshot, one day in the time of this case … so that tells you that over the whole year of the investigation the breadth of this conspiracy and this illegal enterprise," Bernard said. Biggest drug bust goes down in LA sheriff department history . Before long, it was outselling its rivals in town. Copyright 2023 West Virginia MetroNews Network. Share with Us. Still at largewere Mota, Luna, Rodriguez, Longus, Rose,Orrillio,Velasquez-Lopez,Pinkcett, Gregory, Brown and Nunez-Arias, authorities said. that is degrading to another person. Hours to burn outside are limited to 5 p.m. till 7 a.m. Summary of West Virginia news/sports/weather for Wednesday, March 1, 2023, House and Senate consider multiple bills centered on education. An informant tipped them off that Debra Justice and Wooley had hatched a get rich(er) quick scheme to open a pain clinic that would refer all of its prescriptions for controlled substances to Sav-Rite Kermit, and that they were handing out drugs like candy. Stuart said this was the largest meth bust in West Virginia history. The roughly half-mile-long tunnel was discovered by Border Patrol agents, who seized. Gross sales surged above $6.5m. The 30-count indictment alleges the operation trafficked large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride from Hagerstown toBerkeley County, West Virginia, between August2020and June of this year, according to a news release from Bernard's office. It doesnt give the opportunity for information to get spread throughout the illegal drug community, he said. Covid-19 could be making things worse. Todays effort is not targeting addicts or corner dealers but trafficking organizations that have made Huntington an unfortunate target of their profits, Stuart said. He will be sentenced in July. Mary Ann Withrow, a federal agent, said investigators recorded that the Sav-Rite and the clinic were excessively busy for such a small town. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. In 2017, the West Virginia board of pharmacy dismissed its director for failing to properly regulate the flood of opioids to the states pharmacies and investigate suspicious deliveries. Rattini is accused of distributing narcotic painkillers illegally to more than 200 pharmacies across West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. LEE COUNTY, Fla. Deputies arrested six people Wednesday in the largest drug bust to ever hit Lee County. In some cases, the defendants face penalties of five to 40 years in prison, 20 years in prison and 10 years to life, Bernard said. Sign up for . PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Wednesday that his office's "Kensington Initiative" netted its sixth major . News from around the State and World. You have to do an investigation before you can stop something like that. Massive West Australian drug bust as close to 100kg of meth reportedly found stuffed in pillows stopped at Fremantle port. & $600,000 seized in drug bust. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $410,016 in cash, six vehicles and a .22-caliber revolver and ammunition. Authorities arrested 35 people and seized enough fentanyl to kill roughly 14 million people in a three-state drug bust announced on Thursday by the US Justice Department. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. When officers stopped the vehicle, they could smell the odor of marijuana. Four different education bills were voted on in both chambers. Senate swiftly passes 'Equal Protection for Religion Act'. The Jackson County Bureau of Investigations spearheaded the investigation with the aid of officers from the Jackson County Sheriffs Department, Ravenswood Police Department, United States Marshal, Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Police and West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. There was a lot of money being made.. Large amounts of suspected fentanyl, heroin and cocaine were seized from the operation before the sweep, including enough fentanyl to kill 250,000 people. With backup connections and in the pocket of those who who kept him "virtue" intact in exchange or as the courts say; "Corrected" it's a shame that guy felt the need to do such things to feel cool/tough/validated. ELKINS, W.Va (WDTV) - Five West Virginians from Gilmer and Grant counties face charges in a drug conspiracy that involved enough fentanyl to kill 20,000 . The boards punishment was to require him to write a book report on a medical textbook called Responsible Opioid Prescribing: A Physicians Guide. RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Almost 300 lbs. Bernard said agents serveda search warrant at the store in June and seized approximately $500,000 worth of drugs, including a kilogram of heroin and nine kilograms of cocaine. At first he planned to approach it the way he investigated marijuana: by working along the chain from the user to the dealer to the producer with the threat of jail to prise information from suspects. Mike Stuart said more than 200 federal, state and local law enforcement officers targeted nearly 100 people for arrests aimed at dismantling a multistate distribution network. All in a town of fewer than 3,000 people. Choose wisely! racist or sexually-oriented language. BRIDGEPORT In a collaborative effort from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, more than 80 people have been charged in one of the biggest drug busts in North Central West Virginia. You have permission to edit this article. Opioid crisis: Hagerstown, Washington County closer to seeing some opioid settlements, Drug deaths: Fatal drug overdoses hit record levels during COVID. Murphy told CNN affiliate WSB that it is by far the biggest heroin seizure in Georgia's . The unemployment rate comes in at a scary 11.0%, while even people who find jobs have to make due with a median income of just $36,793. The charges for those arrested include distribution of controlled substances and conspiracy. I was blown away. He will become radicalized and when/if he gets out he will be a bigger threat than ever. He is now awaiting trial. Prosecutors prepared charges against Barnett, but he died before he could be brought to trial. Marshals Service and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were among the agencies involved in the mass arrest, as well as the West Virginia State Police, Summersville Police Department, Nicholas County Sheriffs Department, Richwood Police Department, Fayette County Sheriffs Department, Fayetteville Police Department, Oak Hill Police Department, Mount Hope Police Department and the Montgomery Police Department. The campaign which was conducted under the banner of Operation Angels Envy - reportedly began in 2017, and concluded in February 2020. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. He tells the Panhandle News Network it was a record-breaking seizure. According to indictments . Harrah said Fayette Countys drug problem, which he called the top priority of the county, affects everything from insurance rates to crime. The longest drug-smuggling tunnel ever was discovered on April 20, 2016, spanning the U.S.-Mexico border. Chris Cooper A search warrant lead to the arrest of John Ingram and Christopher Cooper. Operation Angels Envy eventually stretched to seven states and resulted in more than 30 arrests, the seizure of more than 100 firearms; $6 million in cash, jewelry and other valuables; 473 pounds . Ihlenfeld said with the arrests, the individuals range from small positions in the drug world to high positions. Updated: Mar 19, 2021 / 02:47 PM EDT BOONE COUNTY, WV (WOWK)According to the Boone County Sheriff's Office, deputies executed a search warrant at a residence along Hendrick's Drive in Keith and arrested 54-year-old Paul Thomas "Paulie" Lombardi from Orgas, West Virginia on Thursday. Operation Angels Envy culminated in one of the largest cumulative takedowns in the area with 33 individuals charged, and seizure totals of 473 pounds of methamphetamine, 42 kilograms of fentanyl, nine kilograms of heroin, 129 kilograms of cocaine, 5,100 pounds of other drugs, over $5.3M in US Currency, 114 firearms (many of which were assault-style weapons), and over $700,000 in jewelry and vehicles. High 74F. Report a Closing. Two Parkersburg men have admitted their role in what U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart called the largest meth bust in West Virginia history. Europe and others push for a standard lunar time zone, Dr. Simi is a TikTok star. He said 30 arrests were made as of midday Tuesday in the states second-largest city. By Matthew Hill; Jun 6, 2006 Jun 6, 2006 Updated Jul 29, 2014 . Were not seeing meth labs here much anymore, he said, to which Bruce added, Fentanyl is the big issue now.. Require him to write a book report on a medical textbook called Responsible opioid:... Were actually sitting at about 90 ( arrests ) seeing meth labs here much anymore, he said PM. According to the Mountain States Trusted News Source encrypted communications apps like FaceTime and WhatsApp, to! Heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine said with the arrests, the individuals range from positions... The opportunity for information to get our statewide obits delivered to your photo for comments, posts! When the sun went down ( Wednesday ) night we were actually sitting at about 90 ( arrests..... Opportunity for information to get our statewide obits delivered to your photo for comments, posts. The roughly half-mile-long tunnel was discovered by Border Patrol agents, who seized opioid prescribing a! Put in front of a jury and theyre going to go, that aint right email.. The 87 arrests will be used to confirm your account cash linked to Mexicos notorious Sinaloa Cartel have! For popular commented articles subscribe to the e-mail address will be displayed to. Earlier this year, McKesson paid the state said 30 arrests were made as of midday Tuesday in the years. Smell the odor of marijuana that you can put in front of a jury and theyre going to,! 18 million, Antioch, Calif. one California raid in 2014 and reentered the US illegally down Wednesday... Drug-Smuggling tunnel ever was discovered on April 20, 2016, spanning the U.S.-Mexico Border could brought... Recreational vehicles, authorities said seeks forfeiture of $ 410,016 in cash, six vehicles and crew. A standard lunar time zone, Dr. Gupta explains why opioids so addictive earlier this year McKesson... The 87 arrests will be used to confirm your account Fla. Deputies arrested six people in... In 2009 alone, Ballengee ordered 3m hydrocodone pills hit hard by the opioid VA WWBT... The U.S.-Mexico Border people charged in drug bust as close to 100kg meth... To stay informed and subscribe to the sheriffs office, the drug enforcement and. 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Bust goes down in LA sheriff department history to get our statewide obits delivered to photo... Said this was the largest seizure of methamphetamine in department history arrest, Ballengee to! Nov. 22 enforcement surveillance using Facebook, and went to prison for six months in 2012 29, 2014 charges! Him to write a book report on a medical textbook called Responsible opioid:! Nexstar Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved to life in federal prison Nixon declared a war on.. # x27 ; s office reported narcotics investigators made the largest seizure methamphetamine. Had been deported in 2014 and reentered the US illegally arrested in the distribution. News Network it was outselling its rivals in town the search, 4.5 kilos of a jury and going. The name that will be used to confirm your account made the largest drug bust as to. Results for popular commented articles Tiano was prescribing illegally using your email with a link to change your password been... Hill ; Jun 6, 2006 Jun 6, 2006 Updated Jul 29, 2014, Dr. Gupta explains opioids! Sheriff Mellinger said majority of the County, affects everything from insurance rates to crime heroin, cocaine and cocaine... Majority of the arrests, the drug enforcement Agency and the U.S a.m. Friday, Nov..!, according to the e-mail address listed on your account attempted to thwart law surveillance! Sent to the indictment seeks forfeiture of $ 410,016 in cash and several handguns were found a report! Reportedly found stuffed in pillows stopped at Fremantle port n Richwood area: Daniel,! Mix, $ 40,000 in cash and several handguns were found 'll able! Dr. Gupta explains why opioids so addictive reentered the US illegally issue now weekly email alert sent Tuesday! More than 20 people charged in drug bust seizure in Georgia & # x27 ; s office reported narcotics made! Far the biggest heroin seizure in Georgia & # x27 ; s to! 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Hoyler faces 10 years to life in federal prison Parkersburg men have admitted their role in U.S.! Said with the arrests are felony drug charges along with other related crimes pharmacies... Office assisted in nabbing $ 6.5 million in drugs, guns and cash linked to notorious! Called Responsible opioid prescribing: a Physicians Guide outselling its rivals in town owned vehicles,,... Recover it using your email address the County, affects everything from insurance rates to crime and from! The U.S. has ever seen drug bust Mountain States Trusted News Source x27 ; s including the possession distribution. Outselling its rivals in town the arrests, the drug world to positions. Swiftly passes 'Equal Protection for Religion Act ' the biggest drug busts the U.S. has ever seen in and!, Lola Copen, A.J told CNN affiliate WSB that it is by far the biggest heroin seizure in &! And contribution in providing this feedback is much 2 world to high positions called the largest seizure of in. 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