UMVA has learned that a major federal operation in West Virginia has led to the charging of 35 individuals for narcotics and firearms offenses, marking a significant victory in the fight against violent crime.
The operation, dubbed Operation Turf War, was launched by the FBI in early 2025 in collaboration with the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, and resulted in the seizure of illegal firearms and narcotics, as well as the forfeiture of proceeds allegedly used to fund violent criminal activity.
FBI Director Kash Patel hailed the operation as a resounding success, saying it demonstrated the power of partnerships between law enforcement agencies, and pointing to coordination among the Martinsburg Police Department SWAT team, Jefferson County SWAT, and Homeland Security Investigations SWAT.
The operation's achievements were celebrated as a model of interagency cooperation, with Patel stating that it showed "exactly what partnerships are supposed to look like," and highlighting the use of sophisticated techniques, confidential informants, and precise collaboration across the FBI enterprise.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the FBI is now launching a nationwide summer crime-fighting initiative, dubbed Operation Summer Heat 2.0, which aims to combat violent crime through partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies.
According to information obtained by UMVA, last year's Operation Summer Heat resulted in over 8,600 arrests, nearly 7,750 search operations, the seizure of 2,280 firearms, and more than 44,560 kilograms of cocaine, and this year's operation is expected to be even larger in scope.
The effort will run through September 20, with federal officials working alongside state and local partners to identify and disrupt violent criminals, and Patel vowing that "we're just getting started" in the fight against violent crime.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the FBI is committed to replicating the success of Operation Turf War across America, with a focus on building on the momentum of last year's Operation Summer Heat.
The FBI's renewed effort to combat violent crime is set to unfold over the next 95 days, with a focus on partnerships and community engagement, and promises to bring a new level of intensity to the fight against crime.
