Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
P. O. Box 3711
204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
276-638-8801
Toll Free: 800-234-6575
BREAKING NEWS: Drug probe brings 34 arrests
Thursday, September 20, 2012
A 17-month undercover drug investigation resulted in the arrests of 34 people on Thursday.
They were charged on indictments issued by a Henry County grand jury on Monday, according to a release from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.
The joint drug operation involved the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the Virginia State Police, Martinsville Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), the release stated. It was conducted in Henry County between January 2011 and May 2012.
Undercover drug purchases, search warrants and vehicle stops occurred in the following areas of the county: Ridgeway, Axton, Collinsville, Bassett and Horsepasture. Authorities purchased or seized quantities of cocaine ranging from 1 gram to 36 kilograms with various street values ranging from $100.00 to $1,393,900, the release stated.
Quantities of Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, and Roxycontin were purchased with values ranging from $5 to $40 per pill, according to the release. Methamphetamine was seized in quantities ranging from 1 gram to 4 ounces, and its street value ranged from $100 to $4,800.
Quantities of marijuana were seized ranging from half an ounce to 15 pounds with street values ranging from $20 to $21,000, the release stated.
During the operation various items were seized due to narcotics trafficking, including one house, eight vehicles, 73 firearms and $70,000 in cash.
The investigation resulted in a total of 152 felony and six misdemeanor state criminal charges being issued on 76 adults.
The investigation led to 35 federal charges issued on six adult men and two adult women. The federal charges range from distribution of cocaine, possess with intent to distribute cocaine, distribute crack cocaine, possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime, distribute marijuana and distribute methamphetamine.
In addition, 32 individuals, under sealed indictment, still are being sought.
.jpg "104")
