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28 Charged in Alleged Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Operation

Federal charges allege a multi-state drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy led by Brendan Bragg.

2 reports on this incident · first at Aug 20, 2026, 3:12 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 20, 2026, 12:21 p.m. ETUpdated Aug 22, 2026, 1:52 a.m. ET
Twenty-eight people have been in connection with an alleged drug trafficking and money laundering operation, according to reports from WV Metro News and The Intermountain. The case is at the charging stage and has not been resolved. The government alleges that the organization, allegedly led by Brendan Bragg, was moving methamphetamine, fentanyl, carfentanil and cocaine into Morgantown and Parkersburg, and used cash apps to complete transactions, WV Metro News reported. The Intermountain reported that the government alleges Bragg was the chief overseer of an operation with tendrils running from Detroit to Parkersburg and Morgantown to Mississippi. WDTV reported that the government alleges 28 defendants conspired to possess and distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine base and cocaine in Monongalia County and surrounding areas, and engaged in money laundering. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, as stated by Harvey, according to The Intermountain. The investigation involved a homeland security task force, the DEA, and the FBI, according to both outlets.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 20, 2026, 3:12 p.m. ETFirst report

    28 Charged in West Virginia Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Case

    Twenty-eight people have been charged in the Northern District of West Virginia with drug trafficking and money laundering, according to a report by WV Metro News. The charges stem from an investigation by a homeland security task force.

    The government alleges that the organization, allegedly led by Brendan Bragg, was moving methamphetamine, fentanyl, carfentanil and cocaine into Morgantown and Parkersburg, and used cash apps to complete transactions, WV Metro News reported.

    The defendants include Brendan Bragg, Torianno Alexander, Treasure Wooten, Ezavin Blue, Vincent Hill, Austin Hudson, Frank McKinney, Stewart Jenkins, Zaire Adams, Adam Mccullough, Khorie Morris, Lance Harris, Kayla Ashley, Cathy Jo Riffle, Ashley Flowers, Rebecca Fletcher, Brian Willard, Isabella Rexroad, Keanna Phillips, Alexis King, Jeffrey Turner, Darlene Dodson, Valerie Smith, Cody Lockhart, Lori Murphy, Latisha Kelly, Brianna Turner, and Brian Turner.

    The case is at the charging stage and has not been resolved. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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Revision history

  1. Version 222 Aug 2026, 05:52current

    Added WDTV's account of the alleged conspiracy and clarified the district attribution.

  2. Version 122 Aug 2026, 00:22

    First published.

  3. Version 120 Aug 2026, 19:12current

    First published.

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