Lee Co., VA -- Local, state, and federal law enforcement officers scoured one county in Virginia today. This past Monday, 39 drug indictments came through for alleged drug dealers in Lee County. Some were for distribution of marijuana, but most, for distributing narcotics. 11 face federal charges, and they're alleged to be a part of a network selling from Florida. 28 were indicted on state charges.
Many of the accused are repeat offenders. Some were not home when officers knocked on their doors, but many officers know them, and know their friends and family to try to track them down.
"We found this to be a pretty effective tool, the round up," says Lee County Sheriff Gary Parsons, "because we bring these folks in, and to try to get some consideration, they roll over on other individuals and may lead us into some bigger suppliers, possibly even in some other states."
Those charged federally were questioned in Lee county, but taken to Abingdon to see a federal judge Thursday afternoon.
Those with state charges met with the Lee County magistrate Thursday. If they cannot pay bond, they are held at Duffield Regional Jail, and their arraignments will be next week.
By noon Thursday, Lee County officers, with the Virginia State Police, U.S. Marshals, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, arrested 19 of the 39. There were seven charged federally and 12 arrested on state charges.
Click on the icon above to see some of the drug bust from Thursday morning.
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