Drug busts continue in the Tug Valley area with Wednesday night’s raid resulting in about $80,000 in confiscations which incl uded $5,000 in cash and eight pounds of pot.

After several months of investigations throughout the area, Williamson Police Department’s Lt. Dave Rockel said evidence pointed in the direction of Claude “Peanut” Smith, 56, and his wife, Linda Smith, 48, of Vinson Street in Williamson. Officers made a controlled buy from the couple and secured search warrants for their residence at the bottom of the hill leading to the Mingo County Airport. Marijuana was scattered throughout the house, with about a pound in each location, Rockel said, adding there was a work station in the garage with scales and supplies for repackaging. The Smiths were charged with several counts of possession of a controlled substance with enough of the marijuana and pills around, about $75,000 worth, to charge with intent to deliver, Rockel said, asserting the city and West Virginia State Police also confiscated around $5,000 in cash and a firearm.

When asked if police thought the drugs were arriving through the airport, Rockel said investigators did not think so, but attributed an increase in drug trafficking due to the opening of U.S. 119. The 30-year officer said the Williamson area had recently been opened up with straight travel conditions to access, Ohio, Virginia, and Kentucky.

However, Mingo County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Sparks said the county would continue to investigate, arrest, incarcerate and convict those who participate in illegal drug activity.

“Our message to drug dealers is so simple,” he said. “ If you sale – you go to jail.” 

“I am very excited about the accomplishments of these dedicated officers [WPD Lieutenant C. D. Rockel, WVSP Trooper B. R. Moore, WVSP Senior Trooper C. D. Kuhn and WVSP Corporal S. T. Harper].  Mingo County is safer as a result of their efforts.”

Rockel confirmed the bust was a continuation of Operation G2.

“We’re not going to stop,” Rockel said.

“ The fruits of your criminal lifestyle such as money, jewelry, automobiles and even your home will be subject to forfeiture,” Sparks said. ‘You will be forever branded a convicted felon.  Justice will ultimately be served.”