Search Warrants Executed in Federal Drug Investigation

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Five federal search warrants were executed this morning and one person was arrested as part of an ongoing federal drug trafficking investigation.

United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced that search warrants were served early today upon three residences in Wheeling, West Virginia, and two residences in Bellaire, Ohio, without incident. Quavonte Pugh, age 28, of Wheeling, was arrested for possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine. Pugh, who has a prior federal drug distribution conviction, was taken into custody at his Carmel Road home and transported to the Northern Regional Jail where he will remain pending a detention hearing.

During the searches, officers recovered controlled substances, firearms, and United States currency.

The case is being investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, which is comprised of officers and agents from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Support for today’s enforcement operation was provided by the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), and the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carly Nogay and Clayton Reid and U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld.