Meth with a street value in the millions seized in Mercer County

Mar. 7—PRINCETON — More than 200 pounds of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of over $9 million was among the fentanyl, cocaine and firearms seized as the result of an investigation into a drug trafficking operation located in Mercer County.

Beginning Nov. 27, 2023, The Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force which is comprised of members of the West Virginia State Police, Bluefield Police Department, Mercer County Sheriff's Department, McDowell County Sheriff's Department and Wyoming County Sheriff's Department along with the support from DEA in Charleston conducted an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating in Mercer County, according to Capt. R.A. Maddy, deputy chief of staff for the West Virginia State Police.

This drug trafficking organization was determined to be supplying crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine throughout multiple counties in West Virginia and Virginia, Maddy said.

On March 6, the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force along with the West Virginia State Police, DEA, ATF and FBI executed eight search warrants in Mercer County, Maddy said. As a result, 200 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 21 firearms, and 3.76 ounces of fentanyl were seized, he said.

As of Wednesday, the investigation had yielded the seizure of 208 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 10.67 ounces of fentanyl and 3 ounces of cocaine, Maddy said.

"This investigation is currently ongoing and being investigated by the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, criminal arrests will follow at the completion of this investigation," Maddy said in a statement released Thursday evening.

Investigators listed the street values of the controlled substances which were seized when the search warrants were executed. The substances and street values included: — 208 lbs of Crystal Methamphetamine- $9.4 million — 10.67 ounces of Fentanyl — $30,250 — 3 ounces of Cocaine- $8,500