VA Homeland Security Task Force surpasses 2500 arrests

Governor Youngkin announced Thursday that the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force (VHSTF) has made over 2,500 arrests since launching in late February.

Speaking from Virginia State Police (VSP) headquarters in Chesterfield, Youngkin credited the federal-state partnership with improving public safety across the Commonwealth.

The VHSTF, established through a U.S. Department of Justice initiative and formally announced on March 3, targets transnational organized crime, gang violence, and illegal immigration.

Youngkin also highlighted:

  • The largest VSP recruitment class since 2018, with 100+ new troopers entering training.
  • Expanded enforcement in 13 high-crime cities under the Operation Bold Blue Line (OBBL) initiative, in coordination with Attorney General Jason Miyares’ Operation Ceasefire.
  • A sharp increase in human trafficking tips, with 523 reports in the first half of 2025 (up from 168 in 2023).
  • Continued success of Operation FREE, Virginia’s anti-fentanyl campaign. Since launch, 794 pounds of fentanyl have been seized in Virginia—enough to kill every resident 10 times over.

Operation FREE now involves 175 partners across federal, state, local, and international levels. Its fourth phase launches in October.

In February, Governor Youngkin signed Executive Order 47, directing VSP and the Department of Corrections to sign 287(g) agreements with ICE, enabling them to enforce immigration laws directly, a move ICE approved within 20 hours.

The VHSTF includes personnel from agencies such as ICE, FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals, Homeland Security, and Virginia law enforcement. Joint operations will continue to focus on narcotics, violent gangs, and transnational crime.

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Governor Youngkin proposes “No Sanctuary Cities”

Governor Glenn Youngkin unveiled a “No Sanctuary Cities” budget proposal aimed at strengthening cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The proposal mandates that local law enforcement, sheriffs, and jail officials fully comply with ICE detainers and notify ICE at least 48 hours before releasing any undocumented immigrant who has committed a crime. Furthermore, the plan includes withholding funding from localities that declare themselves “sanctuary cities” or implement practices that hinder collaboration with ICE.

This budget proposal reflects Governor Youngkin’s ongoing dedication to reducing crime and fostering safer communities. It builds on initiatives such as signing Executive Order 41, launching Operation Bold Blue Line (OBBL), and supporting the Attorney General’s Ceasefire Virginia Initiative. These efforts have already shown significant results, with OBBL cities experiencing a 34% decrease in murders and a 12% reduction in violent crimes this year. Every category of violent crime in OBBL cities has seen a double-digit percentage decline, contributing to an overall 11% drop in violent crime across the Commonwealth.

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Youngkin announces results of Operation Bold Blue Line

VSP official patch and logo used by permission by Information Officer Brent Coffey

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced earlier this week the latest results from Operation Bold Blue Line.

The initiative is dedicated to strengthening the partnerships between the Virginia State Police and local law enforcement agencies.

Since the beginning of the Operation in December of 2022, VSP and local law enforcement have seized 2,060 pounds of narcotics including nearly 47 pounds of deadly fentanyl with a street value of over $31 million.

An additional $2.7 million in currency was seized due to ties to illicit activity.

In total, the partnership has led to 857 felony arrests and 721 misdemeanors.

Governor Youngkin said, “Through the hard work and partnerships between state and local law enforcement, we are strengthening sustained efforts to get illegal drugs and illegal weapons off the streets, improving safety in our communities. These results show progress on our collective efforts to support law enforcement, crack down on illegal drugs, enforce tougher penalties for violent criminals and ensure safer communities across the Commonwealth.”

To view the full press release, click here.

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Gov. Youngkin announces Operation Bold Blue Line

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced by email the launch of Operation Bold Blue Line.

The initiative hopes to help Law Enforcement combat violent crime in Virginia.

The plan will invest $13 million over the next two years in new group violence intervention efforts.

To combat staffing issues the Governor’s plan is to fix wage compression and increase funding for partnering community Police.

The plan includes provisions to prohibit partnering localities from defunding Police Departments.

Operation Bold Blue Line will also work to recruit officers from Virginia and the Nation in a $30 million homegrown recruitment effort and 8-week training academy.

The initiative hopes to disburse $75 million for new equipment and training as well.

The plan includes work with the Virginia Retirement System to ensure retired Law Enforcement retirees can collect benefits while working in new support roles.

Operation Bold Blue Line will also work to fund a Victim Witness Assistance Program to help Police and Prosecutors put violent criminals behind bars.

The Governor stood with Attorney General Jason Miyares, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle Sears and mayors, police chiefs and sheriffs from across Virginia while announcing the initiative.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.