Governor Youngkin announces major law enforcement achievement as task force makes thousands of arrests
Richmond, Virginia – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a significant law enforcement milestone Thursday, confirming that the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force (VHSTF) has surpassed 2,500 arrests since launching operations earlier this year. As of July 1, 2025, the Task Force has arrested 2,512 individuals identified as violent criminals who were unlawfully present in the United States. The announcement comes just four months after the VHSTF was formally established through a federal-state partnership to confront transnational organized crime, gang activity, and illegal immigration.
“The Virginia Homeland Security Task Force has been extremely successful, and Virginia is safer today because of it,” Governor Youngkin said during a press conference held at Virginia State Police headquarters in Chesterfield. “I am grateful for the brave men and women of our federal, state and local law enforcement who show up and go to work every day to ensure violent criminals who are here illegally are arrested.”
Comprehensive Anti-Crime Strategy
In his remarks, the Governor also emphasized new deployments under the Operation Bold Blue Line initiative, which brings enhanced state police support to 13 Virginia cities plagued by high rates of violent crime. This includes cities such as Richmond, Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Roanoke. Under this initiative, Virginia State Police and Bureau of Criminal Investigation teams have conducted more than 53,000 traffic stops, seized over 1,300 firearms, and confiscated nearly 9,000 pounds of illicit drugs since late 2022.
“We are going to put more badges on the street,” Governor Youngkin said. “Our great state troopers work hand-in-hand with local law enforcement leaders and our Attorney General’s amazing Ceasefire team to protect and serve all communities.”
The Governor also commended the latest VSP recruitment effort, which has brought in the largest training class since 2018, with over 100 troopers now beginning instruction.
Focus on Human Trafficking and Drug Epidemics
Another major priority spotlighted by the Governor was the fight against human trafficking. So far in 2025, the Virginia State Police have received 523 human trafficking tips—more than triple the number from 2023. Youngkin credited this increase to heightened public awareness and more robust strategies for building prosecutable cases. “There has been a foundational shift in people’s understanding of what human trafficking looks like and how to actually build a case to not just interrupt it, but to rescue Virginians who are caught in it,” he said.
Youngkin also provided updates on Operation FREE, a sweeping multi-agency initiative aimed at dismantling the fentanyl trade. Since its inception, the operation has resulted in the seizure of over 794 pounds of fentanyl in Virginia alone—enough to kill every resident of the state ten times over. Across all participating jurisdictions, more than 5,300 pounds of fentanyl have been seized. The Governor confirmed that Operation FREE 4.0 will begin in October.
Coordinated Partnerships and Legislative Tools
The Task Force is supported by a broad range of agencies including ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Virginia Department of Corrections, among others. A critical foundation for VHSTF operations came through Executive Order 47, which authorized direct enforcement of immigration law by Virginia State Police and the Department of Corrections through memoranda of understanding with ICE.
Legislative backing also plays a key role. Recent laws have introduced stronger penalties for fentanyl-related crimes, including treating fentanyl as a “weapon of terrorism” and holding dealers accountable for overdose deaths through felony manslaughter charges.
Ongoing Commitment to Public Safety
From gang violence to drug trafficking and human trafficking, Governor Youngkin reiterated his administration’s commitment to using “every tool available” to crack down on violent crime and safeguard Virginia communities. With new law enforcement strategies, expanded partnerships, and legislative teeth, he affirmed, “We will not turn our backs on our fellow Virginians. We will stand and form a Bold Blue Line.”
