Operation Valley Venue VIII nets 88 charges & more than $26,200 in illegal drugs in five counties

On Thursday, September 3, 2020, The Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, along with area law enforcement, conducted its eighth annual Operation Valley Venue. This was a collaborative effort to identify, target and arrest those individuals responsible for the distribution, manufacturing and transportation of illegal narcotics. The multi-agency operation concentrated on criminal activity occurring within the city of Winchester, and five local counties and their corresponding towns and cities.

The Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force was assisted by District 11 Probation and Parole, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and numerous local law enforcement agencies.  The operation netted 82 felony arrests, 5 misdemeanor arrests, and one summons.  Seven search warrants were executed, and 40 probation searches were conducted.  During the operation, approximately 113 grams of Methamphetamine ($4,600), 9 grams of Heroin ($2,100), 34 grams of Cocaine ($3,400), 30 grams of Crack Cocaine ($3,000), 73 grams of MDMA ($7,300), 220 Doses of Prescription Medication ($1000) and 2 Marijuana plants and 230 grams of Marijuana ($4,800) was seized.  The total street value of narcotics seized was $26,200.  In addition, $6,800 in US currency, and one firearm was seized.

The Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force includes the following law enforcement agencies: Clarke County, Frederick County, Page County, Shenandoah County and Warren County Sheriffs’ Offices; Town of Front Royal, Town of Strasburg, and Town of Luray Police Departments; City of Winchester Police Department; and Virginia State Police.