Federal authorities say a major operation targeting violent crime in West Virginia has led to dozens of arrests and set the stage for a broader nationwide effort that will continue throughout the summer.
According to Fox News, the FBI announced Tuesday that 35 people have been charged with narcotics and firearms offenses following a yearlong investigation that culminated in a coordinated crackdown across the state.
The bureau said the operation was carried out through a partnership involving the FBI Pittsburgh, the FBI Baltimore, and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.
The initiative, known as Operation Turf War, began in early 2025 and focused on disrupting criminal activity tied to illegal drugs, weapons, and violence.
Investigators said the operation led to the seizure of firearms and narcotics, while also targeting money and assets allegedly connected to violent criminal enterprises.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the effort and said it was driven by concerns raised within the affected community.
“Operation Turf War was this FBI answering the call of a community that needed it the most,” Patel said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
Patel described the investigation as a significant success that relied on extensive coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
“This was a massively successful operation right in West Virginia with nearly three dozen individuals arrested using sophisticated techniques, confidential informants, and precise collaboration across the entire FBI enterprise with our partners,” he said.
He added that the operation showcased effective cooperation between multiple agencies working toward a common goal.
Patel specifically highlighted the involvement of the Martinsburg Police Department SWAT team, Jefferson County SWAT, and Homeland Security Investigations SWAT.
The announcement came alongside news of a larger federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime across the country.
The FBI said it is launching Operation Summer Heat 2.0, a nationwide effort that will run through Sept. 20 and focus on identifying and disrupting violent offenders through partnerships with local and state law enforcement agencies.
Patel said the new initiative builds on a similar operation conducted last year under then-Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino.
“For the next 95 days, the entire country will see this FBI replicating these exact efforts across America with Operation Summer Heat – an extension of our work last year led by then Deputy Director Dan Bongino to crush violent crime,” Patel said.
“We’re just getting started,” he added.
According to the FBI, last year’s Operation Summer Heat resulted in more than 8,600 arrests nationwide. Authorities also carried out nearly 7,750 search operations, seized 2,280 firearms, and confiscated more than 44,560 kilograms of cocaine.
Federal officials said this year’s version of the operation will be expanded as law enforcement agencies work together to target violent offenders and criminal organizations throughout the country.
