FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The Fairmont Police Department, in collaboration with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, conducted a joint operation today which resulted in the arrest of 30 individuals throughout Fairmont and nearby communities in Marion County. Today’s arrests are part of a larger operation which has resulted in a total of 87 felony drug arrests. 

"At this time, more arrests are pending. Multiple drug trafficking investigations are currently on going.” Fairmont Chief of Police Steve Shine said. “Some targets are out of state and we recommend they stay there. Our city is no place for this kind of activity.” 

This tactical operation, code named “Spring Cleaning,” resulted in 87 felony drug arrests. This warranted round-up was led primarily by the Fairmont Police Department and its Three Rivers Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force. 

The Marion County’s Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Roger Cunningham, alongside White Hall Police Department, Mannington Police Department, the West Virginia State Police and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives all played a role in the operation. 

The targets of this effort were individuals under investigation for the distribution of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs being sold in our community. Of the 87 felony drug arrests, 81 were related to fentanyl. 

“This should send a loud and clear message: Fairmont is not the place for these substances. We will leave no stone unturned when rooting these substances and their propagators out of our city.” City Manager Travis Blosser said. “This is the first of many such operations, and residents can expect their police department and our partners take this lawbreaking seriously.” 

Due to the nature of these investigations and ongoing case work surrounding the arrests, the names of the defendants will not be released by the City of Fairmont at this time.