Two arrested after Amherst County authorities seize more than $1.5K fentanyl, stolen gun
Two people were arrested after authorities seized more than $1,500 worth of fentanyl, a stolen gun, meth, and suspected counterfeit pills during a narcotics investigation, according to the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office.
Police: Nelson County teen charged after more than $4k in cash, drugs, 9 guns seized during investigation
An 18-year-old from Nelson County has been arrested in Charlottesville after authorities seized 9 guns, drugs, and more than $4,000 in cash on Wednesday, according to the Charlottesville Police Department.
VSP: Roanoke trio charged after more than $1M in drugs, 20 guns seized during investigation
Three people from Roanoke have been arrested after the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force seized drugs, firearms, and cash as a result of a long-term, multi-county-wide investigation, according to Virginia State Police.
Montgomery County receives first payments from nationwide opioid settlements
Virginia and its localities are expected to receive approximately $530 million over a period of 16 years in the settlements with three drug distributors McKesson Corp., AmerisourceBergen Corp., and Cardinal Health, and a prescription opioid manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceutical, according to Attorney General Miyares.
Roanoke County schools look at students’ responses on drug use, mental health and other risky behaviors
Middle and high schools in Roanoke County want to know if students are doing drugs, how often and why. To find out, they’ll be asking students about their behaviors by using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
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Border patrol canine sniffs nearly $60K worth of drugs inside breakfast burritos
Border Patrol agents found five pounds of fentanyl stuffed inside breakfast burritos along the Arizona-Mexico borderYUMA, Ariz. – You may have heard of folks smuggling drugs in weird items like watermelons, fake baby bumps and hoverboards. A canine working alongside Border Patrol agents in Arizona sniffed out narcotics stuffed inside the popular Mexican cuisine on Monday at the Highway 78 immigration checkpoint, according to a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). During a secondary inspection, authorities said the canine alerted its handler to a black backpack found inside a Chevrolet Tahoe. Agents searched the backpack to discover several small packages of fentanyl hidden inside breakfast burritos. According to CBP, the packages of fentanyl weighed about five pounds with an estimated street value of nearly $60,000.
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31 Campbell County residents indicted on meth, heroin and cocaine charges
RUSTBURG, Va. – A year-long narcotics investigation ended in 31 people in Campbell County being indicted on 62 federal charges on Sunday. The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office canine unit along with the Central Virginia Drug and Gang Task Force (CVDGTF) worked on “Operation Crystal Clear” together. Authorities said more than 7,532 grams of methamphetamine, 227 grams of heroin and 688 grams of cocaine with a total estimated street value of $773,654 were seized during the investigation. 26 illegal firearms were also confiscated in Campbell County. The charges for the 31 people are:Distribution of methamphetamineConspiracy to distribute methamphetamineDistribution of heroinDistribution of cocainePossession of schedule I/IIPossession of schedule I/II while in possession of a firearmFelon in possession of a firearmDistribution of methamphetamine while in possession of a firearmThe individuals arrested on Friday are being held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Rustburg and the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Amherst.
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Roanoke drug kingpin who had hidden compartments in his ‘Batmobile’ sentenced to 20 years in federal prison
ROANOKE, Va. – The man at the center of one of the largest fentanyl seizures in Virginia will spend the next two decades in prison. Monta Orlando Jordan, 45, who authorities described as a Roanoke drug kingpin, received a 20-year sentence on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Roanoke, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Jordan retrieved these deliveries at various locations around the Valley View Mall and made cash payments toward his purchases of as much as $320,000 during scheduled meetings. Inside one package alone, agents reported finding a basketball wrapped in carbon paper and surrounded by miscellaneous chair cushions. AdThe drug was contained in plastic bags and covered in an oily masking agent, designed to defeat the scenting capabilities of K-9 drug dogs.
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Virginia authorities seize more than $150,000 worth of drugs, 15 guns in joint operation
Authorities seized 15 guns, about 3.25 pounds of meth with an approximate street value of $147,000, and one pound of marijuana, with an approximate street value of $4,000. They also seized marijuana edibles and illegal prescription drugs. Authorities seized 15 guns, about 3.25 pounds of meth with an approximate street value of $147,000, and one pound of marijuana, with an approximate street value of $4,000. They also seized marijuana edibles and illegal prescription drugs, according to Virginia State Police. • James Paterson, 46, of Lyndhurst, is charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule II methamphetamine and possession of a firearm while in possession of a Schedule II drug.
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Danville police report three fatal heroin-related overdoses in the past week
DANVILLE, Va. – In an effort to address opioid addiction in the city, the Danville Police Department has tracked down and reported 50 suspected heroin-related overdose cases from late 2019 to Friday. In that time frame, authorities reported a total of 44 non-fatal heroin-related overdoses and a total of six suspected fatal heroin-related overdoses. However, three of those six deaths that police believe was a result of heroin use happened over the past week. Back in May 2020, the police department issued Naloxone to officers, which is a medication designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Anyone suffering from addiction and seeking assistance can ask help from Danville police or contact Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services 24 hours a day at 434-793-4922.
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The unexpected winner on election night? Drugs
While we may not know if President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden won the presidential election for a while longer, there was one clear “winner” on election night, and that was recreational drugs. States across the country have been legalizing recreational marijuana every election cycle, and 2020 was no different. Residents in New Jersey, Arizona, Montana and South Dakota all voted to legalize recreational cannabis, and South Dakota also legalized medical marijuana, along with Mississippi. South Dakota became the first state to legalize medical and recreational marijuana in the same election. For the first time in U.S. history, the state of Oregon decriminalized possession of hard drugs, as well as voted to legalize psychedelic mushrooms.
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Lynchburg encourages residents to drop off unused prescription medicine for National Drug Take Back Day
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day, an event focused on disposing unused or unwanted drugs safely. The Lynchburg Police Department is partnering with Horizon Behavioral Health from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can bring medications to 2215 Langhorne Road. “Anything from diabetic medication to opioids to medication from people who may have passed away, and they cleaned out old ibuprofen and things like that. COVID precautions will be in place at the event, including face masks and gloves. If you can’t make it to the event, LPD has a drop-off medicine station available Monday through Friday at their Court Street headquarters.
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Have unused prescription drugs lying around? Here’s what you can do with them
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – You can help save lives and stop drug abuse by getting rid of your old, unused or unwanted prescription medications. The Roanoke County Police Department and the Prevention Council of Roanoke County are encouraging people to participate in the 10th annual National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Even if you don’t live in the Roanoke area, there are collection sites across the country where you can go. Organizers said these medications often end up in the wrong hands, so it’s important for families and businesses to do their part by getting rid of them. “Just leaving one pill, just one, in the hands of young people could lead to addiction," said Nancy Hans, the executive director of the Prevention Council of Roanoke County.
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Months-long Bedford County drug investigation nets arrest, drug seizure
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – Authorities have one man in custody and seized multiple drugs as part of an investigation that’s been happening for more than six months. The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joel Lamont Taylor on Thursday while executing a search warrant at his home on Perrowville Road in Forest. Vice/narcotics investigators, as well as the office’s Tactical Response Team and K-9 units assisted with executing the warrant. Thursday’s search was the second during the investigation and yielded possible meth, marijuana, several types of pills, heroin and gun, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The investigation remains ongoing.
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Leader of meth trafficking ring operating in Southwest Virginia sentenced to 30 years in prison
James Robert Johnson – Sentenced to 12 years, 7 months imprisonment, conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Christopher Lee Smiley – Sentenced to 5 years, 4 months imprisonment, conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Terry Melvin Dalton – Sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribute methamphetamine. Kimberly Ann Drake – Sentenced to 17 years, 6 months imprisonment, conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Melissa Darlene Barrett – Sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribute methamphetamine.
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Massive drug bust leads to life sentence for Floyd County drug dealer
FLOYD COUNTY, Va. – One of the men charged in a record-setting drug bust in our area will spend the rest of his life in prison. A jury recommended two life sentences plus eight years for Jorge Martinez-Estrada, 31, on multiple charges Wednesday, according to the Floyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney. This was part of a massive undercover investigation last year called “Operation Trap Door.”Operation Trap Door yielded the largest drug seizure ever in Southwest Virginia, according to the Commonwealth’s Attorney. Prosecutors say Martinez-Estrada helped distribute 30 pounds of crystal meth and more than 6 pounds of cocaine. Evidence showed that Martinez-Estrada transported the drugs in hidden compartments in a pickup truck and toolboxes, according to the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
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Roanoke drug kingpin convicted on all counts in federal case
ROANOKE, Va. – The man at the center of the one of the largest fentanyl seizures in Virginia was convicted in federal court on Tuesday, according to United State Attorney Thomas T. Cullen. On Aug. 10, 2017, authorities received information regarding a suspicious FedEx package designated for an address associated with Jordan. Once they acquired a federal search warrant, agents opened the package to found about one pound of cocaine and a pound of heroin. He was taken into custody shortly after the packages entered the creek below, and has remained in jail since then. The drug was contained in plastic bags and covered in an oily masking agent, designed to defeat the scenting capabilities of K-9 drug dogs.
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Roanoke center offering off-site needle exchange program will open, despite pushback
ROANOKE, Va. – Opponents of a center offering a controversial needle exchange program took their concerns to Roanoke City Council on Monday, just one week before the new center is set to open. Opponents of the center are asking city council to slow down the process or relocate the center. It will also be where people sign up for the new needle exchange program. The new, separate location, which is the Drop-In Center North, would solely register people for the needle exchange program, and not actually distribute or exchange needles. Both parties agree about the benefits of the needle exchange program, but they still don’t see eye-to-eye on the long term effects.
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FDA investigates diabetes drug for possible contamination with cancer-causing agent
“The FDA is investigating whether metformin in the U.S. market contains NDMA, and whether it is above the acceptable daily intake limit of 96 nanograms,” said Janet Woodcock, director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. According to WFTV, The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday it was aware metformin in other countries contained low levels of NDMA, but those levels were in the “naturally occurring in food and water” range. NDMA is a common contaminant found in water and foods including cured and grilled meats, dairy products and vegetables. Everyone is exposed to some level of NDMA, Woodcock said. The FDA recommends patients continue taking metformin to keep their diabetes under control because “there are no alternative medications that treat this condition in the same way.”
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Would you be able to find your kid’s secret stash?
Before you answer with an assured “NO,” know that ‘secret stash’ containers are increasing in popularity, and getting easier to obtain. The containers have some things in common: They’re easy to purchase, they’re cheap -- usually around $10 -- and they look exactly like real household items. A new corner of the Internet is dedicated to selling secret stash items. Drug addiction experts say kids are buying them to store drugs, hiding them, and their habit, from their parents. The following are some otherwise innocent-looking household items that could be secret stash containers: