RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced the latest results from the partnerships between Virginia State Police (VSP) and local law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth that have been strengthened through Operation Bold Blue Line. Since December 15, 2022, partnerships between VSP and local law enforcement have resulted in the seizure of 2,060 pounds of illegal narcotics, valued on the street at more than $31 million, and including almost 47 pounds of deadly fentanyl. Additionally, more than $2.7 million in currency tied to illicit activity has been seized. In total, through the partnership 857 felony arrests and 721 misdemeanor arrests have been made.
“Through the hard work and partnerships between state and local law enforcement, we are strengthening sustained efforts to get illegal drugs and illegal weapons off the streets, improving safety in our communities,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “These results show progress on our collective efforts to support law enforcement, crack down on illegal drugs, enforce tougher penalties for violent criminals and ensure safer communities across the Commonwealth.”
“Governor Youngkin and his entire Administration are committed to strengthening our successful Operation Bold Blue Line partnership with local law enforcement,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terry Cole. “Throughout my career working on drug enforcement issues, I have seen that taking illegal narcotics off the streets helps curb the influence of international criminal organizations. This is vital to halting the violence among criminals who distribute those narcotics within our communities and bringing those individuals to justice.”
“The Virginia State Police has excellent working relationships with local police departments and sheriff’s offices across the Commonwealth which have been leveraged through Operation Bold Blue Line to enforce our shared mission to identify and disrupt criminal networks threatening the safety of Virginians,” said Virginia State Police Colonel Gary Settle. “We are proud of the results we have achieved together to date and will continuously strive to improve the safety of Virginians as they live and work.”
“The men and women of the Chesapeake Police Department are grateful for the opportunity provided by Governor Youngkin through Operation Bold Blue Line,” said Chesapeake Police Department Chief Mark Solesky. “The funds made available through this initiative and the strengthened partnership with the Virginia State Police will serve us well into the future and will truly make a difference in reducing crime within the City and increasing the safety of our officers and citizens throughout Hampton Roads.”
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