Suzanne Higgins Published

State Police Say Latest Meth Busts Underscore Funding Needs

WV State Troopers, WV State Police

  West Virginia State Police say they’ve arrested dozens of people in southern West Virginia on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine during targeted efforts in the past month.

Since October 26 state troopers in Webster, Pendleton, Randolph, and Braxton counties found 2 meth labs, arrested 14 people and seized a little over $1000.

This resulted in 28 felonies and 2 misdemeanor charges.

During the same time, troopers in Greenbrier, Raleigh, Fayette, and Summers counties found 9 meth labs, 3 abandoned dump sites, arrested 18 people who were charged with 47 felonies.

First Sergeant Michael Baylous reported the numbers today in Beckley.

He said one of the reasons why the effort to bust these labs is so important is the number of children troopers have seen exposed to these toxic chemicals.

“They’re the innocent victims,” he said.

Baylous reported state police have seized just under 500 meth labs this year.

He called for more community input and an increase in state funding to battle the growing problem.