Shops in Abingdon, Damascus served with search warrants connected to narcotic, money laundering investigation
UPDATE, 1:23 p.m.
Here is a statement issued by the Virginia State Police on today’s investigation activity:
“On Sept. 28, 2023, multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies effected 24 search warrants in nine southwest Virginia localities. The search warrants are part of an extensive, ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of money laundering and illegal narcotic distribution network by retail establishments in Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe counties. No arrests were made as a result of today’s evidentiary search warrants. The investigation remains ongoing at this time.
The investigation involves the Buchanan, Dickenson, Carroll, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Roanoke, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell and Washington County sheriff’s offices; Gate City, Weber City, Abingdon, Damascus, Grundy, Richlands, Tazewell, Bluefield, Marion, Wythe, Galax, Pulaski, Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford police departments; Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville and Salem field offices; United States Postal Inspection Service; Drug Enforcement Administration; Virginia Attorney General’s Office; and the Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe County Commonwealth’s Attorneys. ”
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Several local, state, and federal agencies have launched an investigation into a possible narcotics ring and money laundering throughout Southwest Virginia at select retail stores.
The report from Sheriff Blake Andis of Washington County says the scope of the case stretches from the state’s end at Lee County all the way into the New River Valley. Judges issued 24 search warrants for nine businesses–all were visited by police, DEA agents, and US Postal investigators gathering evidence.
The businesses listed by Andis in the report included: The Zarati Shop locations in Abingdon and Damascus, Grounded LLC and The Good Vibes Shop both located in Abingdon. No arrests were made and Andis says the case remains active.
(IMAGE: Bristol Broadcasting Co News Archives)
