Detectives from the Prince William County-Manassas City-Manassas Park Narcotics Task Force, with additional units of the Prince William County Police Special Investigations Bureau concluded a narcotics operation which centered on distributors of prescription medication and heroin throughout Prince William County June 24 to 26.
Police seized over $100,000 in U.S. Currency; suspected illegal narcotics including heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana; suspected prescription medications; evidence of distribution; paraphernalia; and multiple firearms including handguns, shotguns, and rifles.
Warrants were issued in Manassas, Woodbridge, Dumfries and Stafford; police also searched residences in Haymarket and Triangle.
According to reports, eight individuals from Nokesville, Gainesville and Haymarket were among those arrested in the course of the investigation.
"This latest operation, nicknamed “Dragon Slayer”, officially began in April of 2014 and over the course of the investigation, detectives obtained warrants for 86 individuals, 68 of which are now in custody," police spokesman Officer Jonathan Perok said. "During this operation, detectives also executed search warrants at 13 different target locations and conducted additional searches at six other locations."
Besides the arrests, the objective of “Dragon Slayer" was also to educate street level users of these narcotics.
"Operation “Dragon Slayer” not only included the necessary enforcement of state law, but also continued education about narcotic distribution and use in hopes of future prevention," Perok said. "After each arrest was made, staff and resources were made available by the Prince William County Community Services Board and the Police Chaplain Unit to educate the individual on substance abuse and provided arrestees with information about how to receive help."
This operation follows the November 2013 narcotics operation “Blue Dragon" which netted over 40 arrests on seven search warrants.
Perok said the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office, the Adult Detention Center, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, and aviation support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection provided additional assistance during the operation.
"We would like to remind the public that it is important to secure your medications in your home and to follow your doctor’s recommendations while using any prescribed medication," Perok said. "If you possess any medication which you no longer need, please contact your physician or pharmacist for advice on how to properly dispose of the medication. You may also contact the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take-Back Initiative at 1-800-882-9539."
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!