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The Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force has netted more than $105,000 in illegal narcotics and 93 charges in Lunenburg and Charlotte county this year.

According to Virginia State Police Public Relations Director Corinne N. Geller, since January, the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force has been actively pursuing illegal drug trafficking, distribution and use within its established jurisdictions of Charlotte and Lunenburg counties.

From Jan. 1 through Oct. 1, the task force has initiated 95 new investigations that have resulted in 63 felony charges and another 30 misdemeanor charges for illegal distribution of narcotics, possession of narcotics and a variety of drug-related offenses. As a result of these investigations, the task force has seized three illegal firearms, hundreds of illegal prescription pills, and the following: (All are approximate quantities)

• 454 grams of cocaine, totaling an estimated street value of $45,400

• 69.5 grams of methamphetamine, totaling an estimated street value of $6,900

• 704 grams of processed marijuana and 15 marijuana plants, totaling an estimated street value of $52,040

• 4.3 grams of heroin, totaling an estimated street value of $967

“Keeping such highly-addictive and destructive substances as cocaine, meth and heroin out of our communities is at the core of this task force’s mission,” said Lunenburg County Sheriff Arthur Townsend. “But we know we can’t arrest our way out of this problem. So the task force has also taken a very active role in drug prevention outreach and education within Lunenburg and Charlotte counties.”

“These numbers show the impact of what our agencies can achieve when we work together toward enforcing our drug laws,” said Charlotte County Sheriff Thomas Jones. “Not only has the task force arrested numerous drug suppliers and users, but has also kept more than $105,000 worth of illegal substances from making it to Charlotte County’s streets, communities and schools.”

Geller went on to say in an email release, “Also this year, the task force has conducted training for local area law enforcement personnel to keep them current with the latest drug trends within the region and across the Commonwealth. Investigators with the task force also attended the Piedmont Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse meeting in an effort to enhance communication between law enforcement, schools, treatment facilities and other community service groups.

“In addition, task force members have received training in Methamphetamine Laboratory Safety and naloxone/ Narcan. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigator is a certified instructor for the administration of Narcan, which is utilized to save the life of an individual suffering from an opioid-induced overdose. Members attended the 2019 Virginia Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force Conference, which included training in overdose investigations and “Fighting Fentanyl.”’

“It’s been a very busy and productive year for the Tri-County Drug Task Force,” said Supervisory Special Agent J. Jason Lacks, Virginia State Police. “The investigative efforts, arrests and seizures are of significant benefit to the communities we are committed to serving and protecting. We appreciate the continued cooperation between our local, state and federal law enforcement partners toward making Lunenburg and Charlotte counties safer places to live, work and raise a family.”

The Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force is comprised of narcotics investigators from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Appomattox Field Office.