Waynesboro man convicted of involvement in West Virginia drug trafficking organization

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WHSV) – A Waynesboro man has been convicted for his role in distributing methamphetamine (meth) as part of a drug trafficking organization in West Virginia, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Todd Tyler Snead, 58, of Waynesboro was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Sept. 6. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Snead was one of 31 defendants sentenced in the case. On Tuesday, the final lead defendant pleaded guilty.

The investigation into the organization, dubbed Operation Smoke and Mirrors, resulted in the largest meth seizure in West Virginia history, the Justice Department said. In total, law enforcement seized more than 400 pounds of meth, 40 pounds of cocaine, 3 pounds of fentanyl, 19 firearms and $935,000 in cash.

According to the Justice Department, members of the drug trafficking organization transported the drugs in semi-trailers from the West Coast to the Southern District of West Virginia.

“Investigators followed the trail of methamphetamine being sold here in Charleston and traced it to Los Angeles, California and our southern border,” said U.S. Attorney Will Thompson. “The investigation revealed that this organization was moving methamphetamine across our southern border in pallets containing several hundred pounds each.”

The shipments that reached West Virginia included 196 pounds of meth and 4 kilograms of cocaine. Additional large quantities were sent to South Carolina, Georgia and other areas, according to the Justice Department.

“Operation Smoke and Mirrors was the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history, but the work of the FBI and our local, state and federal partners is far from over,” said Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh office. “Today's verdict sends a message. Anyone who believes dangerous drugs are being trafficked in southern West Virginia should know that we are using every tool at our disposal to rid our communities of these substances. Our neighborhoods, businesses, schools and streets deserve to be free of this poison, and the men and women of the FBI remain fully committed to that mission.”

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