'Operation Valley View' followup

An orchestrated series of raids by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office earlier this year continues to result in the recovery of stolen property and additional criminal charges.  In January, nine people were arrested as part of the Sheriff’s Office “Operation Valley View”.  A nearly yearlong undercover investigation targeting those who manufacture and distribute crystal-methamphetamine.

The key suspect, Billy Blane, was arrested nearly a week after the initial raids.  The reported meth cook helped organize several of the suspects in the purchase of the chemicals needed in the manufacture of the highly addictive narcotic.  A search warrant served on Blane’s Valley View Community home last month resulted in the discovery of everything from stolen lawn equipment to laptop computers.  The 55-year-old suspect remains “behind bars” at the Walton County Jail on a no bond order for a host of drug and stolen property charges.

The Sheriff’s Office has compiled a current overall list of charges stemming from “Operation Valley View”:

• 72 Total Charges (38 Drug related Charges)
• 9 Burglary & 9 Theft Charges
• 8 Grand Theft Auto Charges
• 4 Dealing in Stolen Property Charges
• 28 Total Warrants Signed
• 35-Thousand Dollars in Recovered Property
• 19 Total Persons Arrested

One Walton County Undercover Sheriff’s Investigator says, “Operation Valley View resulted in four pending drug charges, and two stolen property charges in Holmes County.  That’s in addition to five drug charges being filed in adjacent Alabama counties”.

The nearly year long operation also gave area law enforcement personnel an up-close look at the illegal meth trade which has destroyed countless lives and families across the Tri-State region.