UPDATE 12/13/18 @ 3:50 p.m.

A man from Huntington was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for his part in a multi-state heroin/fentanyl trafficking ring, U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart says.

Lonnie Berry II, 43, had pleaded guilty to an indictment which charged him with conspiracy to distribute heroin. The drug network, with ties to Detroit, became known as the Peterson drug trafficking organization.

Investigators say Berry admitted that between October 2017 and April 2018 he conspired with Willie Peterson, also known as “Chill,” and Manget Peterson, also known as “Money,” to distribute heroin in Huntington. Berry admitted that he sold heroin for Manget Peterson on a daily basis in Huntington.

UPDATE 11/26/18 @ 11:55 p.m.

Two more men from Huntington have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a multi-state heroin and fentanyl ring, U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart says.

The investigation has become known as Operation Saigon Sunset and was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West.

Lawrence Sykes, Jr., also known as “Boog,” 26, who was caught selling fentanyl in November 2017, was sentenced to 33 months in prison.

Charles Graves, also known as “Bo,” 46, who was caught selling heroin in February 2018, was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Investigators say both men were involved in the drug trafficking ring in part of 2017 and 2018 and entered into plea agreements.

The drug network, with ties to Detroit, became known as the Peterson drug trafficking organization.

UPDATE 11/21/18 @ 11 p.m.

Two men have been sentenced to prison for their part in a drug-trafficking ring known as Operation Saigon Sunset, U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart says.

Luther Peterson, also known as “Mook,” 24, of Detroit, was sentenced Wednesday to 36 months in prison.

Investigators say Peterson was caught selling heroin in October 2017 and later pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Peterson told investigators that he conspired with two people, Willie Peterson and Manget Peterson, to sell heroin in the Huntington area. It happened between October 2017 and April 2018.

Terrell Redd, 43, of Huntington, was sentenced Wednesday to 14 months in prison for his activity in the same scheme. As part of his plea agreement, Redd admitted to selling heroin to an undercover person in February of this year.

UPDATE 8/28/18 @ 8:55 p.m.

Two more men pleaded guilty Tuesday in a multi-state heroin and fentanyl ring, U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart says.

That means 11 of 15 defendants charged in the indictment have pleaded guilty so far in the investigation -- conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West.

The ring was known as “Operation Saigon Sunset,” which reached as far as Detroit, Jacksonville, Florida, and Canton, Ohio.

Willie Peterson, also known as “Chill,” 50, of Detroit, entered his guilty plea to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and a quantity of fentanyl.

Investigators say Peterson admitted to dealing 100 grams or more of heroin and some fentanyl in Huntington. Peterson also admitted to distributing heroin to his brother, Manget “Money” Peterson, in exchange for money.

Another man, Corey Beach, 30, of Jacksonville, entered his guilty plea to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin. Investigators say Beach conspired with other people to sell heroin in Huntington between October 2017 and January of this year.

Willie Peterson faces between five years and up to 40 years in prison, and Beach faces up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced Dec. 10.

UPDATE 8/27/18 @ 6:25 p.m.

Another man indicted for his role in a major, multi-state heroin and fentanyl distribution network pleaded guilty Monday to a federal drug conspiracy charge, according to United States Attorney Mike Stuart.

Lonnie Berry II, 43, of Huntington, entered his guilty plea to the indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin.

So far nine of the 15 defendants that were charged in the federal indictment in connection with the Peterson drug trafficking organization have entered guilty pleas.

“Another guilty plea by a defendant in the Peterson DTO that was taken down in Operation Saigon Sunset. We arrested them. We detained them behind bars pending trial. And now they are staying behind bars and off our streets. It is easy to believe there is a revolving door – arrest them today and they are on the streets tomorrow – but that is simply not true in federal cases. We are working hard with our local, state and federal partners to ensure a safer and more vibrant City of Huntington.” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.

UPDATE 8/20/18 @ 9:35 p.m.

Three men indicted for taking part in a multi-state heroin and fentanyl distribution network pleaded guilty Monday, U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart says.

The drug network, with ties to Detroit, became known as the Peterson drug trafficking organization.

Luther Peterson, also known as “Mook,” 24, from Detroit, entered his guilty plea to the indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Lawrence Sykes, Jr., also known as “Boog,” 26, of Huntington, entered his guilty plea to the indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

Charles Graves, also known as “Bo,” 46, also from Huntington, entered his guilty plea to the indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Investigators say all three suspects took part in a drug trafficking network early this year.

Peterson, Sykes and Graves each face up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. Peterson is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 19.

Sykes and Graves are scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 26.

Terrell Redd, 43, of Huntington, previously pleaded guilty to the indictment which charged him with conspiracy to distribute heroin. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 19 and also faces up to 20 years in prison.

UPDATE 6/16/18 @ 3:15 p.m.

U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart reports another man wanted in connection to a drug trafficking group operating in Huntington was arrested in Detroit Friday.

Stuart says Terrell Ledez Redd was taken into custody in Detroit Friday and will be brought to Huntington to face charges. Redd is “a major target in the Peterson Drug Traffficking Organization” and was just one of 15 people charged federally as part of the group. U.S. Attorney Stuart says the group operated “a large, multi-state heroin and fentanyl distribution network”, adding Redd will be brought to Huntington where officials want to detain him until trial.

Redd’s arrest was part of the Project Huntington and Operation Saigon Sunset where in mid-April, federal, state and local law enforcement conducted drug raids in an effort to take substances off the street and shut down the trafficking network.

UPDATE 4/19/18 @ 12:45 p.m.

Twelve of the men arrested Tuesday in the massive raids involving a Detroit-Huntington drug organization appeared in federal court Thursday.

One of the men's bonds was set at $100,000 because he faces other charges in Detroit. He potentially faces life in prison.

Eleven other suspects had bonds set at $20,000.

Officers arrested 12 of the 15 federal targets in the Peterson Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO). Investigators described the organization as a direct pipeline bringing heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine from Detroit to Huntington.

Raids were conducted throughout the city, including one near Marshall University's campus as part of a sting called Operation Saigon Sunset.

Investigators took 200 grams of heroin and fentanyl off the streets Tuesday.

More than 450 grams of fentanyl were taken off the streets prior to Tuesday's operation. That's enough to kill 250,000 people.

The 12 suspects will appear in court again at 9 a.m. May 17. Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest information.

UPDATE 4/17/18 @ 5:40 p.m.

Neighbors all across Huntington are breathing a little easier after Tuesday’s massive drug raids, including one right near Marshall University’s campus.

But Wednesday is no off day for police. Investigators tell us what they do Wednesday could be just as important for them.

The front door is busted on the 1900 block of Buffington Avenue.

"When you see that, you know something bad has gone down," said neighbor and Marshall student Talbot Powell.

The location is not quite where you expect. It sits next door to an apartment building full of students including Talbot, just three blocks from the Joan C. Edwards Stadium. The back window looks upon the Twin Towers on campus.

"As the literal five-foot-away neighbor, never in a million years would I have guessed something like that would have happened," he said.

That something was the Huntington police officers there Tuesday afternoon. Capt. Rocky Johnson said the house was just a day or two away from being a stash house. Officers found the front door barricaded and recovered four night vision cameras and fake electrical outlets that could store drugs or cash.

He said that raid, combined with other federal raids across town, sends a clear message.

"The heat's on,” Johnson said. “It's going to stay that way for awhile."

Because it's so close to Marshall, police say they didn't want to wait.

Next-door neighbors like Powell said they feel safe, “I do,” but he said he wouldn’t feel comfortable if it was his mother or sister was living in his apartment instead.

"I would never have my mom live in Huntington alone, never," Powell said.

Nick Dietrich is another Marshall student who lives next door.

"That it was so close and that was no real indication that it was happening because it was all going on inside. That's what shocks me the most," he said.

While both Dietrich and Powell hope the raids make a difference, Capt. Johnson told us Tuesday the work is just beginning for them after such a visible presence here.

"A lot of people are going to come out of hiding and start moving around, switching up their rental cars or whatever it is they do,” he said. “So there's going to be a lot of intelligence going tomorrow, almost as important as today."

Two of the men who were arrested on federal charges Tuesday were in court Wednesday afternoon.

U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart said authorities arrested 11 of their 15 federal targets in West Virginia, Including Manget Peterson, who was their biggest priority and part of the namesake for the Peterson Drug Trafficking Organization. He's due in court at 1:30 p.m. Friday.

UPDATE 4/17/18 @ 1:18 p.m.

Officers arrested 11 of the 15 federal targets in the Peterson Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO). Investigators described the organization as a direct pipeline bringing heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine from Detroit to Huntington.

Investigators say they arrested Manget Brown Peterson, also known as "Money," who they consider to be the most critical target.

Willie Peterson, Malcolm Simmons, and Nyanzangusa Baldwin were arrested in Detroit. Charles Graves was arrested in Canton, Ohio.

Investigators took 200 grams of heroin and fentanyl off the streets Tuesday.

More than 450 grams of fentanyl were taken off the streets prior to Tuesday's operation. That's enough to kill 250,000 people.

Lab tests will help determine the "exact nature" of the drugs. Investigators say they no longer do field testing for the officers' safety.

One search warrant was executed Tuesday in Detroit, but the results from that raid haven't been released yet.

“In terms of the federal targets, today was more than we could have hoped for,” stated United States Attorney Mike Stuart in a news release. “We shut down the supplier of suppliers, a dealer network is out of business, and the unprecedented dual state action was pulled off without incident or harm to any of our law enforcement professionals.”

According to the U.S. District Attorney's Office, several detention hearings have been schedule in federal court for suspects in the Peterson DTO.

Hearings have also been scheduled for James Brady, Eric Burgess, Landrius Boose, and Ashley Russell.

UPDATE 4/17/18 @ 6:30 p.m.

The names of 15 of the people charged Tuesday in a multi-state operation targeting drug dealers, known collectively as Project Huntington, were released in a federal indictment.

According to the indictment from the U.S. District Court's Southern District of West Virginia, members of the "Peterson Organization," what investigators describe as a Detroit-Huntington connection, are:

Willie Verdell Peterson, also known as "Chill"

Manget Brown Peterson, also known as "Money"

Lawrence Anthony Sykes Jr., also known as "Bogg"

Eric Curtis Brown, also known as "Eddie"

Nyanzangusa Baldwin, also known as "Botch"

Jarred Moore, also known as "J"

Corey Beach

Luther Coleman Peterson

Ashley Brooke Pardue

Silas Soloman Pardue

Charles Edward Graves Jr., also known as "Bo"

Terrell Ledez Redd, also known as "Rell" and "Troy"

Lonnie Freeman Berry II

David John Miller, also known as "John"

Malcomb Jerome Simmons, also known as "Mac"

All of the suspects have been charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Additional members of the gang will be arrested in Detroit.

In total, 90 people will be facing charges in West Virginia and Michigan. As of mid-Tuesday afternoon, about 40 people had been arrested -- not including ongoing arrests in the Detroit area.

Law enforcement has taken around 760 grams of heroin, 450 grams of fentanyl and 167 grams of cocaine during the course of what's known as "Operation Saigon Sunset."

According to U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart, the fentanyl seized Tuesday is enough to kill more than 250,000 people.

Investigators say they have nearly 100 targets in Huntington alone.

Police conducted raids throughout the day Tuesday, including at a house in the 1900 block of Buffington Avenue near Marshall University's campus. Police said the empty house was being set up as a "stash house." Fake wall outlets were installed as places to stash things.

There was no furniture inside other than a table and a blow-up mattress. Officers recovered scales and packing materials. They also found ammunition but no guns. No one was arrested at that site, but police were able to obtain considerable intelligence there.

Despite no arrests being made, the proximity to Marshall's campus and students made it a priority for investigators.

Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, police executed a search warrant at a house in the 900 block of Rear Washington Avenue (an alley between Washington and Adams avenues) and initially detained three people. No drugs were found inside the house. A treatment expert spoke with the three about rehab options. No one was arrested at that scene.

The following agencies are involved in the investigation: Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI, Homeland Security, the Huntington Police Department, Cabell Sheriff, Marshall University Police, National Guard, US Marshal Service, WVSP, Wayne Sheriff, Appalachian HIDTA, ICE, Cabell County Prosecutor Corky Hammers, and the U.S. District Attorney of southern West Virginia.

Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest information.

UPDATE 4/17/18 @ 11 a.m.

Deadly drugs and dozens of alleged dealers were taken off the streets of Huntington Tuesday in a multi-state operation.

U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart announced during a news conference Tuesday morning about a major takedown of drug traffickers and and related drug networks. The operation is called "Project Huntington."

According to the U.S. Attorney, the raid on Tuesday included the execution of "Operation Saigon Sunset." The operation targeted nearly 100 people, including several members of the Peterson Drug Trafficking Organization. According to police, the Peterson D.T.O. is a multi-state heroin and fentanyl distribution network in operation for the last 15 years in Huntington.

According to the U.S. Attorney, at least 15 members of the Peterson Organization have been charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Additional members of the gang will be arrested in Detroit. In total, 90 people will be facing charges in West Virginia and Michigan.

Law enforcement has taken around 760 grams of heroin, 450 grams of fentanyl and 167 grams of cocaine.

According to U.S. Attorney Stuart, the fentanyl taken on Tuesday is enough to kill more than 250,000 people.

More than 200 federal, state and local law enforcement took part in "Project Huntington."

The West Virginia National Guard also provided personnel to support the operation.

Keep checking WSAZ.com and WSAZ Mobile for more the latest information.

ORIGINAL STORY

Several arrests have been made after a drug bust at a home on the west end of Huntington.

Huntington Police tell WSAZ that they made multiple arrests at a home in the 300 block of 9th St. West.

Police say the arrests were made after a drug bust at the home.

No other details have been released.

Police say a press conference is set to happen Tuesday morning to release further details.

Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest information.

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