CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A drug bust over the weekend in Kanawha County is being called the largest the county has seen in 15 years.
Brian Palmer, 43, of Montgomery was arrested Friday afternoon at a South Charleston motel, found in possession of a substantial amount of drugs shipped from North Carolina.
“Our detectives and the STOP team recovered 1,585 grams of meth with a street value of $317,000, 710 grams of heroin with a street value $142,000 and 764 grams of marijuana with a street value of $7, 640,” explained Kanahwa County Chief Deputy Mike Rutherford.
Rutherford said the appearance of the drugs made it seem likely that they may have come from a cartel, possibly in Mexico.
“The way they were packed and fixed in their bundles, it appeared it was a very professional job, and it appears the way a lot of cartels in Mexico shift their products,” Rutherford said.
Over $30,000 in cash was also recovered, making the total value of the bust over $497,000.
Rutherford wouldn’t comment on the specifics of the ongoing investigation, but credited law enforcement for their diligent work.
“We don’t really know of anything of this magnitude that anybody can remember in Kanawha County,” he said. “We think it’s a historic bust, and a major bust for meth and heroin in particular. It was a huge, huge pace that they worked, and we’re very proud of our STOP team and detectives.”
Palmer was in custody Monday, being held at the South Central Regional Jail. He faces drug possession and distribution charges, in addition to having a handgun without a conceal carry permit.
Rutherford said additional charges could be forthcoming pending the results of the investigation.