Photo Provided These are some of the items that were seized by authorities Friday.

STEUBENVILLE — Three people are facing charges in connection with an alleged multi-state drug trafficking ring, authorities said Friday.

Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin said the three men — Justin Viers of 334 Wood Drive, Wintersville; Tyrell Gilbert of 1649 Ridge Ave., Steubenville; and Raphael Butler, no age or address available – are being held in the Jefferson County Justice Center pending charges.

A release issued late Friday by Sgt. M.S. White of the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and commander of the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task force, on behalf of the participating agencies, indicates the arrests stemmed from a “several-months-long investigation into the drug trafficking of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine into Jefferson County and Hancock and Brooke counties.”

In all, White said 11 pounds of methamphetamine and half a kilogram of cocaine, a firearm and a large amount of U.S. currency were seized. He said the drugs have an estimated street value of $600,000.

Hanlin said the three men were taken into custody outside Gilbert’s Ridge Avenue residence. Viers’ 2020 GMC Sierra Denali pickup also was seized before police executed warrants at the residences of Gilbert and Viers.

“This is a significant day for our communities, which have been plagued by the influx of drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine,” she said. “Citizens in West Virginia and Ohio should be proud of the cooperative efforts of our law enforcement officers who worked together seamlessly to make sure that this poison never hit the streets. We are safer because of their efforts.”

Participating in the joint operation were the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, the Jefferson County Drug Task Force, the Steubenville Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.