Months-Long Law Operation Results in Hundreds of Arrests;
Seizure of Guns and Drugs
Roanoke, VIRGINIA – United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen
and Acting United States Marshal Brad Sellers were joined by officials from
more than a dozen law enforcement agencies throughout the Roanoke Valley today
in announcing the results of Operation Triple Beam, an intensive law
enforcement operation that recently came to a successful conclusion.
Operation Triple Beam brought together federal, state, and
local law enforcement partners in an effort to reduce crime in the Roanoke area
by identifying and arresting violent fugitives, targeting unlawful gun
possession and narcotics trafficking, and collecting intelligence to allow for
the systematic removal of individuals who have committed and are committing
crimes in the city of Roanoke.
“Over the past two months, federal, state, and local law
enforcement agencies in the Roanoke Valley worked collaboratively to apprehend
wanted fugitives and target individuals engaged in drug trafficking and
potentially violent activities,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today. “The results of Operation Triple Beam speak
for themselves—over 200 fugitives were arrested and nearly 50 guns and half a
million dollars of illegal narcotics were taken off the streets. I am grateful for the leadership of Marshal
Sellers and his team and the commitment of our numerous federal, state, and
local partners in this critical public-safety initiative.”
“Operation Triple Beam was a unified event, within the Roanoke
valley law enforcement community, aimed at reducing those elements that
contribute to violent crime rates,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Sellers. “Our
success is directly attributable to the cohesive support of our area’s law
enforcement agencies and the Prosecution teams serving those communities. This force-multiplier, team focused, event
allowed for greater emphasis towards the common goal of making our communities
safer; which I believe we accomplished.”
“We thank all of our law enforcement partners, with whom ATF
has worked to ensure justice for the victims, their families and the
communities adversely affected by the thoughtless and selfish actions of those
criminals in our streets,” stated Ashan Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of
the ATF Washington Field Division. “Today, and every day, ATF is committed to
working with our partners to reduce violent crime and secure the safety of our
communities.”
“The strong working relationships that have existed for
years among the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in the
Roanoke Valley made it much easier for the agencies to work together
effectively during this operation,” said Assistant Chief Chuck Mason of the
Roanoke County Police Department.
Between January 2019 and March 2019, Operation Triple Beam
made 209 arrests, seized 49 firearms, seized narcotics with a street value of
$497,340, and seized $79,821 in currency.
In addition to the arrests and seizures, officers engaged in Triple Beam
operations gathered intelligence as part of ongoing investigations. Those
arrested are charged with various state and federal crimes, such as
distribution of a controlled substance or possession of a firearm in
furtherance of a felony, among other charges.
Operation Triple Beam was a success due to the partnership
of the following agencies:
U.S. Marshals Service
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Virginia State Police
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
Roanoke City Police Department
Roanoke County Police Department
Salem Police Department
Virginia National Guard
Virginia Department of Corrections
Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of
Roanoke
Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the County of
Roanoke
Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Salem
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