Local $1.5 million drug bust tied to Mexican cartel

CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A suspected cartel stash house has been identified in Barboursville, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Huntington Violent Crimes Drug Task Force (HVCDTF).

In a press release Thursday, the HVCDTF and DEA said they have been leading a joint investigation into a Mexican-based drug trafficking organization operating since July in Barboursville.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, members of the HVCDTF and DEA were able to identify a suspected cartel stash house in Cabell County.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers said they found large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine that were being stored at the location for distribution.

As of Thursday, officers said they have taken more than 15 1/2 pounds of cocaine and 12 1/2 pounds of fentanyl.

Officers said the estimated street value of the narcotics found during the investigation exceeds $1.5 million.

No information regarding arrests will be released at this time, according to law enforcement officers.

Several law enforcement agencies have been involved with the investigation.

According to a release from the city of Huntington, “the task force extends its appreciation to the law enforcement agencies and partners that assisted in the investigation, including”:

• Drug Enforcement Administration
• United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia
• West Virginia State Police
• Ohio State Highway Patrol
• Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office
• Cabell County Sheriff’s Department
• Violent Crime Task Force West, comprised of troopers from the West Virginia State Police and deputies from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department