Operation Trap Door netted 'record' drug, gun roundup

DUBLIN, Va. – UPDATE

At a news conference the New River Criminal Justice Training Academy Wednesday morning, state police announced two Mexican nationals are among the nine people arrested as a result of Operation Trap Door.

State police also believe the drugs seized during the bust came from Mexico.

"The total approximate street value is about $2.1 million," Virginia State Police Lt. Jason Robinson said of the drugs seized during the operation.

Spread out on tables Wednesday morning were some of the drugs and 21 illegal guns seized over the past two years during Operation Trap Door, which involved numerous local, state and federal agencies.

Robinson said the most significant part of the investigation happened just three weeks ago at two homes in Floyd County.

"The execution of search warrants yielded a record seizure of methamphetamine. It was approximately 31 pounds of meth with an estimated street value of $1.4 million. Additionally, (investigators) seized more than 6 pounds of cocaine, with a street value of over $300,000, and more than $140,000 worth of counterfeit opioid pills," said Robinson.

The pills are suspected to contain fentanyl, and Robinson added that similar pills seized in other local investigations are suspected of causing local overdose deaths.

"Dismantling this complex, multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking organization required not only the dedicated law enforcement agencies and commonwealth attorney's offices represented here today, but also tremendous amounts of time, much of it after hours, in order to relentlessly pursue every angle and lead," Robinson said.

Unfortunately, the impact may only be short term.

"Ultimately, another supplier will probably take the place of these two individuals and continue to distribute the drugs in this area. We're hopeful, like I said, that we have made an impact -- especially with the fentanyl pills and the weapons that were seized -- that we saved somebody's life or we saved somebody from addiction," Robinson said.

The two Mexican nationals are being held in the New River Valley Regional Jail, facing multiple charges.

They could have their preliminary hearings next month.

ORIGINAL STORY

Authorities are set to give details on Operation Trap Door, which they say resulted in a record-setting drug roundup and several arrests. 

According to Virginia State Police, two regional drug task forces seized meth, cocaine, fentanyl, illegal prescription drugs and illegal guns as part of the operation, which spanned several counties. 

Authorities will announce arrests that happened as a result of the operation as well as details on the seizures related to the operation during a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. 

Watch the full press conference here: