MERCER COUNTY, W.Va. — State Police and other law enforcement agencies stood behind Governor Patrick Morrisey Thursday as he announced what he called, “one of the single largest drug busts in state history.”
After a month-long investigation, State Police, the Southern Regional Drug Task Force, and the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area were able to get 54 pounds of suspected fentanyl, 70 pounds of suspected crystal meth and 23 pounds of illicit marijuana off the streets. 15 firearms and three brick presses were also seized.
Search warrants were executed on September 10.
The 54 pounds of fentanyl is enough to kill 12 million people according to Morrisey, which is seven times the population of West Virginia. The value of the fentanyl on the street is an estimated $825,000.
“We’re going to keep the drugs off our streets and we’re going to protect people as much as we humanly can,” Morrisey said during the press conference. “This is a higher priority for this administration than the state’s ever seen. We must keep our people safe.”
According to photos shown during the press conference, the bricks of fentanyl had inscriptions, which Morrisey says is alarming.
“We know that some of these inscriptions have been seen in other cases across the country, which means that this could be part of a broader drug operation,” he said.
While not much information was shared about the suspects or the amount of people charged, it was announced that each suspect has been charged with delivery of methamphetamine, delivery of fentanyl and conspiracy to deliver fentanyl.
Before Morrisey was finished speaking, he gave drug organizations one clear message.
“If you’re a drug deal and you’re operating or trying to operate in West Virginia, we are coming for you and we’re not going to stop. This is a level of aggressiveness to protect our citizens that you haven’t seen before,” Morrisey said. “We’re going to do it in a lawful manner. We’re going to protect your civil rights and operate under the Constitution, but we’re going to be very clear: You are not welcome here.”
Superintendent of State Police Col. Jim Mitchell shared a similar sentiment Thursday. He says drug dealers shouldn’t be getting comfortable in the Mountain State.
“If you’re in West Virginia with the intention of violating law and spreading the drug usage and selling drugs, you are not welcome here. “We don’t want you to unpack your bags and we don’t want you to feel comfortable,” Mitchell said.
Also part of Morrisey’s Thursday press conference was an update on the state’s partnership with United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
It was announced a little over a week ago that 12 illegal immigrants were arrested on the West Virginia Turnpike over a two-day period. Most of the arrests were done in the Pax area of Fayette County.
Morrisey announced Thursday that since the state’s partnership with ICE, 37 illegal immigrants have been arrested in the 11 days since the partnership has been in effect.
In August, Morrisey announced a Memorandum of Agreement with ICE. The agreement is consistent with President Trump’s executive order from January and involves the cooperation of State Police, the West Virginia National Guard and the Division of Corrections.
“37 arrests in 11 days. That’s an unbelievable and astonishing number, given the size of our state,” Morrisey said.
Morrisey said that 27 of the individuals were apprehended by State Police during legal traffic stops on the West Virginia Turnpike. The other 10 were apprehended at DUI checkpoints operated by State Police.