Governor Morrisey announces ICE arrests, major fentanyl bust

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK) — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey made two major announcements Thursday, both involving partnerships with the West Virginia State Police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

First, Morrisey said the WVSP and ICE have arrested 37 illegal immigrants in just 11 days throughout the state. He said 27 of those arrests were made at traffic stops along the West Virginia Turnpike, and 10 were made at DUI checkpoints.

In the second announcement, the governor said law enforcement officials recently coordinated one of the largest fentanyl drug busts in West Virginia’s history. More than 54 lbs of fentanyl, 70 lbs of methamphetamine and 23 lbs of marijuana, along with firearms, were seized earlier in September. Morrisey noted that 54 lbs of fentanyl could kill over 12 million people, or the entire state of West Virginia seven times over.

“We’re going to keep partnering with Trump, Noem, and others to make sure that the right things happen in West Virginia,” said Morrisey. “If you bring drugs into our state, you will be held accountable, you will be tried, and if convicted, you will do serious time in prison. We’re not fooling around here. We’re not going to let our kids get killed the way that they were in the past.”

Gov. Morrisey also wanted to send a clear message to people who may think about trying to sell illegal drugs in the state.

“I’m also here today to send a clear message. If we haven’t gotten to you yet,” Gov. Morrisey said. “If you’re a drug dealer, and you’re trying to operate in West Virginia, we are coming for you. We’re not going to stop. There’s a level of aggressiveness to protect our citizens that you haven’t seen before. We’re going to do it in a lawful manner. We’re going to protect your civil rights and operate under the Constitution. But, we’re going to be very clear. You are not welcome here.”

Amid the government shutdown this week, Morrisey does not see any efforts slowing down.

“There may be some activities that slow down in some parts of Homeland Security and ICE, but with respect to our enforcement, that is not changing at all,” Morrisey said. “That’s one of the benefits for having the agreement. West Virginia is going to keep doing everything it can. This is not a furlough for criminals. We are going to make sure we’re enforcing the law, and that partnership remains in effect.”

Also in a release, Gov. Morrisey announced that he has signed a donation agreement to keep West Virginia’s national parks fully operational during the government shutdown.