PATRICK COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — A Stuart man has been arrested following the largest meth bust in Patrick County history, authorities said on July 7.

Mark Lucas Tatum, 48, was taken into custody on July 1 during a covert, multi-jurisdictional investigation that led to the seizure of more than seven pounds of suspected meth and approximately three ounces of cocaine laced with fentanyl.

The drugs are valued at an estimated $200,000 on the street, with authorities saying the meth could have been distributed in 1- to 3-gram quantities to more than 3,000 users.

Tatum was out on bond stemming from an April arrest for felony eluding law enforcement and was under court-ordered home electronic monitoring (HEM) at the time of his arrest.

Investigators said they became aware of a possible violation when GPS data showed Tatum was more than 150 miles outside of Patrick County, in direct violation of his monitoring conditions.

Authorities coordinated with Virginia State Police narcotics agents to track Tatum’s movements.

A multi-agency team, including deputies, state troopers, and a K9 unit from the Martinsville Police Department, was assembled due to concerns Tatum might attempt to flee again, given his past.

Tatum was ultimately stopped on Via’s Orchard Road near U.S. 58 and taken into custody without incident.

He is being held without bond for violating HEM protocol.

Federal authorities, including the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia and the Drug Enforcement Administration, are now involved, and the case will be prosecuted at the federal level.

Authorities said they believe Tatum is a major supplier in a broader drug distribution network and indicated that further arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

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