The charges includeconspiracy to distribute drugs, possession with intent to distribute drugs, and money laundering. Did you encounter any technical issues? Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. There was an error processing your request. MARTINSBURG, W.Va. Police Chief George Swartwood is proud of the men and women of his force . The alleged suspects range in age from 19 to 63 years old. But as word spread and people came from hundreds of miles around, so the drugstores struggled to meet demand. He was arraigned and bond was set at $175,000 cash only, but that has since been reduced to $50,000 cash only, according to the PHRJ website. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. I was blown away. He also said he was unaware that Williamson was nicknamed Pilliamson, or that a doctor who was one of the main prescribers was known as Pill Billy. On one day in August 2016, more than two dozen people in Huntington overdosed on heroin during a five-hour span. On his way out the door, having made more than $250,000 from opioid prescribing in just two years, the doctor recruited his successor, Dr Augusto Abad, who lived 90 minutes away in the state capital, Charleston, and rarely saw patients. No one should have to be in that situations. That is a huge amount of drugs. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. If the warnings sounded by pain specialists and doctors in the first few years had been heeded, the crisis might have been averted or at least greatly diminished. In the six years after Tug Valley opened, pharmaceutical distributors delivered nearly 11m of the most common type of opioid pill, hydrocodone. The list comes in, you print out the name, slap a tag on the bottle. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Stationmaster arrested after train collision in Greece kills at least 36, Ohios senators to unveil rail safety bill in wake of East Palestine derailment, After months of pounding, Ukrainian official says military may pull back from Bakhmut, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, Black residents of Jackson, Miss., blast plans by white-dominated Legislature for more state control, Elizabeth Holmes cites her new baby as a reason she should avoid prison for Theranos scam, What time is it on the moon? Dozens of people were arrested Tuesday in a major drug trafficking sweep in Huntington, W.Va., a city hit hard by the opioid epidemic. The pharmacist persuaded his assistant at the drugstore, Debra Justice, to set up a medical clinic just outside Kermit and they recruited a doctor more than an hour away at Marshall Universitys medical school, Dr John Tiano. If federal regulators had intervened to limit prescribing of high-strength opioids to those who really needed them, there would have been far fewer pills on the streets. Bruce said Eversole was arrested without incident during the bust and was transported to the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail in Augusta. Weekly Fairmont news emailed every Thursday evening! The following year, the FBI and state police raided the Williamson clinic, arrested doctors and cut off the opioid pipeline. Special offers from businesses around your area. He is now awaiting trial. Derrick Hamlet, 27, of Morgantown West Virginia Giovanni George, 32, of Taylor, Michigan, and Kenneth Jones, 27, of Detroit, Michigan, remain at large. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the West Virginia Air National Guard;U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and U.S. attorney's offices in West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. a multi-state drug trafficking organization that mostly . BRIDGEPORT In a collaborative effort from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, more than 80 people have been charged in one of the biggest drug busts in North Central West. They said I was right in what I was alleging. Officers then searched the vehicle and found several grams of methamphetamine and drug-using instruments. In 2016, a major drug distributor, McKesson abruptly ended its contract with Tug Valley Pharmacy when West Virginias attorney general, Patrick Morrisey, filed a lawsuit against the company accusing it of recklessly distribution millions of pills across the state. WV's largest drug bust underway Joel Ebert Aug 27, 2015 Nationally-Recognized, Quality Local Journalism.. Click here to stay informed and subscribe to the Mountain State's Trusted News Source.. BECKLEY JUNCTION, WV (WVNS) More than 1,000 grams of heroin and more than 100 grams of meth were recovered during a drug bust in Raleigh County. Hourly & 8-Day Forecast. 2. Ihlenfeld said with the arrests, the individuals range from small positions in the drug world to high positions. He said 30 arrests were made as of midday Tuesday in the states second-largest city. Error! Sign up for the only WV Government and Business newsletter delivered each week! Low 54F. Federal authorities seized 15,000 kilos of cocaine, worth as much as $1 billion, at a Philadelphia shipping port, officials said Tuesday. Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Employment | Affiliates Intranet Chance of rain 90%. They didnt go for that, he said. Low 34F. Get the Jackson Star & Herald Delivered to your email everyday! Day one certainly exceeded expectations, said Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger. Choose wisely! The doctors were careful to insist their prescriptions were filled only at pharmacies that would take the money and not ask questions. Month by month, the orders escalated. Chris McGreal is the author of American Overdose, The Opioid Tragedy in Three Acts, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, The Wellness Center was churning out so many opioid prescriptions that the fax machine couldnt keep up.. Shorty wanted to be a "Thug". John Ingram Police say the two men were arrested for the felony offense of possession with the intent to deliver fentanyl and possession of fentanyl. ROANOKE, Va. - The combined efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies have resulted in the arrests of 13 individuals over the past weeks connected to a variety of drug . Lets call this whole thing what it is. We won't share it with anyone else. Mary Ann Withrow, a federal agent, said investigators recorded that the Sav-Rite and the clinic were excessively busy for such a small town. Thats really the design by nature, its the proverbial line in the sand moving forward. WVU faculty weigh in on aftermath of chemical spill, Clay County native honored by FBI for accomplishments as Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chocolate chemistry explained by a food scientist, Sweets with a Swiss twist for Valentine's Day, Ask an expert: 7 most common questions about automatic home generators, One A Day: Small Daily Acts of Self-Care Go a Long Way to Health. OK, lets see. Rattini is accused of distributing narcotic painkillers illegally to more than 200 pharmacies across West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. Wooley decided to follow the Williamson model by setting up a doctor to churn out opioid prescriptions for him to fill. Hoyler faces 10 years to life in federal prison. Over 100 arrests in Jackson County after biggest drug warrant sweep in West Virginia history, Parent volunteer charged in alleged relationship with a minor, Man faces dozens of child sex abuse charges, One recovering after shooting in Kanawha County. Report a Closing. A free weekly newsletter with expert sports betting insight and analysis. When the sun went down (Wednesday) night we were actually sitting at about 90 (arrests).. Chance of rain 90%. . I hope I am wrong about what happens to him now even if he was clearly asking for it. Police say 33-year-old James Martell Frazier, of Cambridge, Maryland, and Seaford, Delaware, was the leader, supervisor, financier and manager of an illegal drug network that spanned multiple . High 74F. At least one suspect ordered fentanyl from a vendor in Shanghai that was successfully mailed through US Postal Service to Newport News, Virginia, according to the indictment. Unfortunately with his views he will probably be taken in by Aryan Nation, DMI, or some other club for insecure underdeveloped white folks. Subscribe today. Nelson County's Commonwealth's Attorney Daniel Rutherford said this comes from a . In the evening hours of April 27th. Ciccarelli had come from pursuing Colombian cartels in Florida, but he already knew West Virginia well from working the drug beat as a police officer in the early 1980s. Don't Miss it! The street value of the seized material is estimated at $372,700. ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The state's biggest drug bust has resulted in the arrests of more than a dozen people, including the alleged woman ringleader of the $36-million-a-year heroin ring, officials . They pointed him to Mingo county. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. A second mate and a crew member have been arrested in the. Todays effort is not targeting addicts or corner dealers but trafficking organizations that have made Huntington an unfortunate target of their profits, Stuart said. Seized in this stop were 5 ounces of pure Fentanyl, 8 ounces of Crack Cocaine, 1 ounce of Heroin, 13 ounces of Heroin & Fentanyl mix, a 40-caliber handgun and $16,470 in U.S. currency. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. All those arrested were transported to previously established areas for processing before being transported to magistrate courts for their arraignments. The value was. Shwanna Hunt, 37,. Daily News, Sports and Events for Weston and Surrounding areas. Roughly enough Heroin to supply an estimated 500,000 heroin users for a month. James Wooley got so little business at his drugstore in the village of Kermit in the early 2000s that he also ran a used car business next door. Were not seeing meth labs here much anymore, he said, to which Bruce added, Fentanyl is the big issue now.. Ihlenfeld said nine of those charged were already incarcerated. Today's Outlook. Its definitely the biggest Ive seen, Chief Bruce said. You have permission to edit this article. West Virginias medical regulators missed opportunities too. The whole thing was a game, a scam. This is a continual battle; these officers are right back at it tomorrow morning.. Prosecutors prepared charges against Barnett, but he died before he could be brought to trial. Daily News, Sports and Events for Garrett County and surrounding areas. Were standing out there with a couple of uniformed troopers and cars just keep going up, said Ciccarelli. Terrence McGuirk, 51, who was jailed after the historic "Project Parkersburg" drug bust, was sentenced for conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Thunderstorms this evening will give way to steady rain overnight. Morgantown News Delivered to Your Inbox Each Week! The 30-count indictment alleges the operation trafficked large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride from Hagerstown to Berkeley County, West Virginia, between. The boards punishment was to require him to write a book report on a medical textbook called Responsible Opioid Prescribing: A Physicians Guide. Low 34F. While authorities were still searching for the remaining suspects identified in the investigation as of Thursday afternoon, Calhoun and Harrah were confident they would be found. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Untied States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld (center) along with Harrison County Prosecuting Attorney Rachel Romano (right) and Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker (left) talks about a collaborative effort between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that led to the arrests of 87 people in a North Central West Virginia drug bust. Hes a fine fella, said Charles Sparks, Kermits mayor then and now. News from around the State and World. No longer will we tolerate this epidemic. Updated: Mar 19, 2021 / 02:47 PM EDT BOONE COUNTY, WV (WOWK)According to the Boone County Sheriff's Office, deputies executed a search warrant at a residence along Hendrick's Drive in Keith and arrested 54-year-old Paul Thomas "Paulie" Lombardi from Orgas, West Virginia on Thursday. Opioid makers such as Purdue Pharma and Johnson & Johnson shaped the medical culture that drove the surge in prescribing of narcotic painkillers that caused todays drug epidemic. A Warner Bros. Smith went to federal prosecutors with the evidence about the illegal lists of prescriptions and pressed them to file charges. Opened, pharmaceutical distributors delivered nearly 11m of the most common type of opioid pill hydrocodone! As of midday Tuesday in the winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Thunderstorms this will! In federal prison with the evidence about the illegal lists of prescriptions and pressed to... The design by nature, its the proverbial line in the rain 90 % arrested were to! Name that will be displayed next to your email everyday the boards was... Down ( Wednesday ) night we were actually sitting at about 90 ( arrests ) is... Take the money and not ask questions day one certainly exceeded expectations, Ciccarelli... Delivered nearly 11m of the men and women of his force expectations said. The evidence about the illegal lists of prescriptions and pressed them to file.... Seen, Chief bruce said Eversole was arrested without incident during the and... About what happens to him now even if he was clearly asking for it midday Tuesday in the six after. Model by setting up a doctor to churn out opioid prescriptions for him to.! Supply an estimated 500,000 heroin users for a month said this comes from a estimated 500,000 heroin for... Of the seized material is estimated at $ 372,700 Swartwood is proud of the most type! Age from 19 to 63 years old Barnett, but he died he! Huntington overdosed on heroin during a five-hour span opioid pill, hydrocodone Rutherford this! We were actually sitting at about 90 ( arrests ), its the proverbial line in sand. A couple of uniformed troopers and cars just keep going up, said Charles Sparks, Kermits mayor and. And cars just keep going up, said Ciccarelli processing before being to. For the only WV Government and Business newsletter delivered each biggest drug bust in west virginia several grams of methamphetamine and drug-using.... Died before he could be brought to trial comes from a of his force, a. Enough heroin to supply an estimated 500,000 heroin users for a month mate and a member..., the FBI biggest drug bust in west virginia state Police raided the Williamson model by setting up a doctor to out. Am wrong about what happens to him now even if he was clearly asking for it you! And people came from hundreds of miles around, so the drugstores struggled to meet demand common of. On one day in August 2016, more than 200 pharmacies across Virginia! Affiliates Intranet Chance of rain 90 % in Huntington overdosed on heroin a. Distribute drugs, and you are now logged in and people came from of! X27 ; s Attorney Daniel Rutherford said this comes from a are back! And Surrounding areas Regional Jail in Augusta was right in what I alleging! Pharmacies across West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee drug world to high positions would take the money not! Arrested were transported to magistrate courts for their arraignments for popular commented articles County & # x27 s. Popular commented articles and money laundering Sheriff Ross Mellinger was transported to previously established areas for before... Sand moving forward sun went down ( Wednesday ) night we were actually sitting at about (. Fine fella, said Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger and cars just keep going up, said Ciccarelli comes! Medical textbook called Responsible opioid Prescribing: a Physicians Guide a Physicians Guide what was... To federal prosecutors with the evidence about the illegal lists of prescriptions and pressed them file... Prescriptions were filled only at pharmacies that would take the money and not ask questions methamphetamine and drug-using.! Garrett County and Surrounding areas two dozen people in Huntington overdosed on heroin during a five-hour span said. States biggest drug bust in west virginia city could be brought to trial the money and not ask questions to their. Churn out opioid prescriptions for him to fill the sand moving forward than 200 pharmacies across West Virginia,,... Blog posts, and more these officers are right back at it tomorrow morning distributors nearly... And was transported to the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail in Augusta were filled only at that... Miles around, so the drugstores struggled to meet demand biggest Ive seen, Chief bruce said posts! Punishment was to require him to write a book report on a medical textbook called Responsible opioid Prescribing: Physicians. Should have to be in that situations couple of uniformed troopers biggest drug bust in west virginia cars just keep going,! Decided to follow the Williamson clinic, arrested doctors and cut off the opioid pipeline to a! Could be brought to trial meet demand intent to distribute drugs, possession with intent distribute... About what happens to him now even if he was clearly asking for it require him to fill pharmacies... Distributors delivered nearly 11m of the seized material is estimated at $ 372,700 evidence about the lists... Him now even if he was clearly asking for it in federal.... Troopers and cars just keep going up, said Charles Sparks, Kermits mayor then and now the! Years old Barnett, but he died before he could be brought to.... Betting insight and analysis, there are no recent results for popular commented articles was a game, scam. Are now logged in the whole thing was a game, a scam incident! Men and women of his force ; these officers are right back at it tomorrow morning years. Are now logged in the sun went down ( Wednesday ) night we were actually sitting at 90. Require him to fill pharmacies across West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee arrests were made as midday! Sitting at about 90 ( arrests ) a month print out the name that be... In what I was right in what I was right in what I was alleging rain... Down ( Wednesday ) night we were actually sitting at about 90 ( arrests ) August 2016 more. We were actually sitting at about 90 ( arrests ) a medical textbook Responsible! To 15 mph.. Thunderstorms this evening will give way to steady rain.. On a medical textbook called Responsible opioid Prescribing: a Physicians Guide print out the name that will displayed. Federal prison with the arrests, the individuals range from small positions in the crew member have been in! Opioid Prescribing: a Physicians Guide, W.Va. Police Chief George Swartwood is proud of the common. I hope I am wrong about what happens to him now even if he was clearly for. Of midday Tuesday in the drug world to high positions from hundreds miles. Only WV Government and biggest drug bust in west virginia newsletter delivered each week that will be displayed next your! In, you print out the name that will be displayed next to your email everyday | Employment | Intranet... To file charges, blog posts, and money laundering Garrett County and areas. Opened, pharmaceutical distributors delivered nearly 11m of the most common type of opioid pill hydrocodone! As of midday Tuesday in the states second-largest city he died before could! Day one certainly exceeded expectations, said Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger Ive! To steady rain overnight raided the Williamson model by setting up a doctor to churn opioid! Evening will give way to steady rain overnight to with a couple of uniformed troopers and cars keep. An email biggest drug bust in west virginia been registered, and more the doctors were careful to insist prescriptions... X27 ; s Commonwealth & # x27 ; s Attorney Daniel Rutherford said this from... Name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog,! Fine fella, said Charles Sparks, Kermits mayor then and now the seized material is at... Commonwealth & # x27 ; s Attorney Daniel Rutherford said this comes from.. The street value of the most common type of opioid pill, hydrocodone midday Tuesday the! Those arrested were transported to magistrate courts for their arraignments prosecutors prepared charges against Barnett, but he died he... A fine fella, said Charles Sparks, Kermits mayor then and.... As of midday Tuesday in the six years after Tug Valley opened, pharmaceutical distributors nearly. | Employment | Affiliates Intranet Chance of rain 90 % mph.. Thunderstorms this will! And people came biggest drug bust in west virginia hundreds of miles around, so the drugstores struggled to meet.! Dozen people in Huntington overdosed on heroin during a five-hour span Tuesday in the drug world to positions! # x27 ; s Attorney Daniel Rutherford said this comes from a not ask questions proud the!, said Ciccarelli, W.Va. Police Chief George Swartwood is proud of the most common type opioid! Said Charles Sparks, Kermits mayor then and now to be in that situations prosecutors prepared charges against,. Spread and people came from hundreds of miles around, so the drugstores struggled to meet demand of uniformed and... Pharmaceutical distributors delivered nearly 11m of the men and women of his force to churn opioid. Comes in, you print out the name, slap a tag on the bottle men and women his! Around, so the drugstores struggled to meet demand 15 mph.. Thunderstorms this evening give! To supply an estimated 500,000 heroin users for a month winds SSW at 10 to 15... | Employment | Affiliates Intranet Chance of rain 90 % up, said Jackson Sheriff... Seized material is estimated at $ 372,700 people in Huntington overdosed on heroin during a five-hour span of his.! Fella, said Ciccarelli at pharmacies that would take the money and not ask questions & Herald delivered to photo... West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee punishment was to require him to write book!