Months-Long Law Operation Results in Hundreds of Arrests; Seizure of Guns and Drugs
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. “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.”
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 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.
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
