U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart announced Thursday a takedown of drug traffickers in Parkersburg that resulted in the seizure of more than 150 pounds of methamphetamine and 4 pounds of heroin. Officials say this is the largest seizure of methamphetamine in West Virginia’s history.
Stuart said the takedown resulted in the dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization that was distributing meth and heroin in Parkersburg.
The taskforce involved in the arrests included FBI field offices from five states, state police and representatives from the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said most of the drugs were sourced from Mexico and were being sent to small towns in Appalachia.
The collaboration between law enforcement in Arizona, Florida, Ohio and West Virginia resulted in about 30 arrests. The takedown was part of a long-term investigation by the FBI and local authorities.
Officials believe these arrests include the primary distributors of meth to Wood County and will significantly curtail the amount of the drug available for distribution.
More than 40 people were arrested in Huntington this week on drug and gun charges in a sweeping joint investigation targeting accused interstate drug traffickers in what officials called a "turning point" for the city -- and "in the war against the opiate nightmare."