Drug Enforcement Agency Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

W. Va. Agencies Participating in Drug Take Back Day

Law enforcement officials in West Virginia are participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Take Back Day.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office said it will have deputies stationed at each detachment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Deputies will be posted at detachments in Saint Albans, Cross Lanes, Sissonville, Elkview and Quincy.

Detachment locations can be found online. Also, a drug take back box is located at the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Charleston headquarters and available for disposals during business hours on weekdays.

Other agencies in West Virginia are also participating. More information is available online.

Drug Diversion Squad to Help Fight State's Drug Problem

A new tactical diversion squad through the Drug Enforcement Agency will help north central West Virginia fight the state’s growing drug problem.

WBOY-TV reports that starting next month the diversion squad will assist local law enforcement in catching drug dealers, finding pill mills and identifying false prescriptions.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican from West Virginia, says that the squad will also coordinate its efforts with local law enforcement and share information to prevent doctors from overprescribing pills.

Capito says Charleston currently uses the diversion squad and has seen several drug convictions as a result.

Synthetic Marijuana Bust in Morgantown

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, was joined by other law enforcement leaders on Wednesday to announce actions taken against businesses in Morgantown that are accused of illegally selling synthetic marijuana.

The businesses known as Mid-Nite Adult and the X-Hale Hookah Lounge were searched early this week and assets from them have been seized, including their business licenses as well as all inventory of a Schedule I controlled substance which has similar effects as traditional marijuana.

The businesses are accused of selling significant amounts of the synthetic cannabinoids commonly packaged and labeled as, “Spice‚” “Herbal Incense‚” or “K2.” Officials say undercover controlled purchases were made from both businesses and then the substances acquired were submitted to the DEA’s Mid-Atlantic Laboratory for analysis.

It’s suspected that in just under two years the businesses collectively generated over $4 million in sales.

According to Ihlenfeld, no criminal charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.

Feds Set Record in Latest Drug Take-Back Day in W.Va.

Federal officials in southern West Virginia say they collected more than three tons of unwanted and expired drugs during last weekend’s Prescription Drug Take-Back day.

U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin and Drug Enforcement Administration supervisory agent Suzan Williamson said the collection set a record at 6,211 pounds of prescription drugs.

West Virginians participated at nearly 130 locations around the state.

The previous record was the 4,976 pounds of drugs collected in October.

Officials say the proper disposal of unwanted and unused drugs helps the DEA and other agencies fight against the epidemic of illegal prescription drug abuse.