48 arrested, estimated $5M worth of drugs seized by crime task force since 2022
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Virginia State Police says the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force has seized millions of dollars worth of illegal drugs, and hundreds of firearms since July 2022.
Troopers said the Task Force was established on July 1, 2022, and is composed of the Roanoke County, City, Salem, and Vinton Police Departments.
The multi-agency operation has seized various drugs with an estimated street value of over $5 million. Authorities say 48 drug and gun-related arrests have resulted in convictions leading to sentences totaling almost 700 years.
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“The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force has clearly made a disruption in the illicit drug trade in Roanoke and the surrounding areas,” says Lt. Col. Timothy D. Lyon, Director of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation. “This is truly just the beginning of what we will continue to accomplish for our communities. All of the partnering agencies remain committed to taking even more dangerous drugs and dealers off of the streets.”
From July 2022 through the end of March 2024, The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force has seized the following:
Fentanyl: 12 lbs., with an estimated street value of over $534,000
Cocaine: 48 lbs., with an estimated street value of more than $2.1 million
Methamphetamine: 124 lbs., with an estimated street value of over $2.8 million
Marijuana: 163 lbs., with an estimated street value of more than $660,000
207 illegal firearms
State police said the task force’s investigation efforts have resulted in about 208 fugitives being taken into custody.
“Not only have their actions kept the City of Roanoke a safe place to live and work, but the entire Roanoke Valley has benefitted from their tremendous accomplishments. I am incredibly proud of this team, and our community should know that these officers are dedicated to interrupting violent crime and the distribution of illegal narcotics in our neighborhoods.”
said Roanoke Police Chief Scott Booth
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