Loudoun County, VA (January 26, 2024) – This morning, members of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Drug and Gang Unit and the Tactical Support Unit conducted an arrest and search warrant operation in Aldie, Va. Austin Shin, 24, was taken into custody outside his residence following several months of LCSO investigations into the distribution of fentanyl in Northern Virginia.
During today’s operation, the LCSO found and seized thousands of fentanyl pills, a handgun, and ammunition; more than $6,000 in US currency, and 10.2 ounces of marijuana. Shin was previously arrested in 2022, in Alexandria, Virginia, and was on probation when arrested today.
Shin was charged with three counts of Distribution of Fentanyl; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute; three counts of Distribution of Narcotics on/near school property; one count of Possession, Manufacturing, and Distribution of Weapon of Terrorism (Fentanyl); one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and one count of Possession of a Firearm while in possession of narcotics. He is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center in Leesburg.
“I am committed to ending the distribution of fentanyl in Loudoun County, and this is an important arrest in our ongoing war to hold distributors of this lethal drug accountable,” said Sheriff Mike Chapman.
Last year there were 19 fatal and 71 non-fatal opioid-related overdoses in Loudoun County, with 22 of the non-fatal overdoses involving juveniles. Almost all of these were attributed to fentanyl.
Austin Paul Shin
