Warren County, VA – The Warren County Sheriff’s Office has rejoined the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force, a move approved by unanimous vote from members of the Command Board in the first week of January. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office joins law enforcement personnel from agencies throughout the Shenandoah Valley, including Clarke, Frederick, Page, and Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Offices, in addition to the Front Royal, Luray, Strasburg, and Winchester Police Departments, and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
This partnership highlights all member agencies’ commitment to fighting drug related crime and promoting public safety throughout Warren County and the northern Shenandoah Valley. By combining resources and actionable intelligence, member agencies can work together to identify, investigate, and arrest those involved in drug trafficking and distribution.
Sheriff Crystal M. Cline is excited to rejoin the task force, stating “Rejoining the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force demonstrates the determination of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to significantly impact the supply chain of drugs landing in Warren County and pursuing those responsible for overdoses and increased crime. Working closely with our regional partners is essential in addressing the widespread drug problems impacting our community. By working with members of the regional drug task force, we will band together right here in Warren County and send a clear message to suppliers that this is not a drug trafficking destination.”
Sheriff Cline continued by saying, “There is a huge crime problem associated with drug sales and use that affects our citizens every day. The crime factor occurs when users commit other crimes in support of their habit; crimes including theft, scams, robberies, burglaries, murders, sexual and physical assaults. Many of these incidents go unreported, but the overall safety of the community is compromised and that sometimes goes unnoticed.”
The Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force seized nearly $2 million worth of illegal narcotics in 2022. These seizures included 6 pounds of fentanyl, doubling the amount seized in 2021. These seizures led to 191 arrests and indictments, the confiscation of 42 firearms, and the forfeiture of $182,567 worth of assets tied to drug dealing and manufacturing operations in the Shenandoah Valley.
For further details about Warren County Sheriff’s Office’s involvement in the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force or any other initiatives by this office, please contact Captain Scott M. Baker at (540) 635-4128 or email [email protected].
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