CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart announced Friday a new program aimed at reducing the supply of synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identify distribution networks and suppliers.
Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge — or Operation S.O.S. — will be active in 10 districts nationwide, including the Southern District of West Virginia. The operation will include selecting a new attorney focused on implementing the enforcement surge.
“In the six months since I became United States Attorney, five additional prosecutors have been allocated to my office,” Stuart said. “It is unprecedented. More new positions than Miami, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Phoenix, or many of the largest, fastest growing areas in the country.”
The Department of Justice previously announced four additional prosecutors for the office, making the additions the largest percentage increase for any district in the country.