$5 million in illegal drugs and 48 arrests made by a Virginia task force
RICHMOND, VA (WVNS) — Since the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force in Virginia was established in 2022, they have made 48 arrests and seized around $5 million in illegal drugs.
According to the Virginia State Police, the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force was formed on July 1, 2022, and from then until the end of March 2024, 207 illegal guns were seized, more than 12 pounds of fentanyl and other illegal drugs that have an estimated $5 million total street value. 48 people were also arrested for various drug and firearms violations where convictions lead to that totaled nearly 700 years.
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In total, since July 1, 2022 to the end of March 2024, the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force seized:
Fentanyl: 12 pounds, with an estimated street value of over $534,000
Cocaine: 48 pounds, with an estimated street value of more than $2.1 million
Methamphetamine: 124 pounds, with an estimated street value of over $2.8 million
Marijuana: 163 pounds, with an estimated street value of more than $660,000
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. 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.
Lieutenant Col. Timothy D. Lyon | Director of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation
More than 208 fugitive were arrested due to investigations by the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, according to the Virginia State Police.
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The work that the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force does is instrumental in keeping our community safe. 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.
Chief Scott Booth | Roanoke Police Department Virginia
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Salem Field Office, the Roanoke City Police Department, Roanoke County Virginia Police Department, Vinton Police Department, and the City of Salem, Virginia Police Department make up the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.
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