A house in Richmond's Union Hill neighborhood has been seized by the United States due to its use as a drug-involved premises for over a decade. Court documents reveal that the property at 2221 Venable Street was used for selling and using various drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. The occupants also sold "tranq," a mixture of fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and xylazine.

Drug trafficking activities at the location date back to 2008. Richmond Police executed four search warrants related to drug trafficking at the house—one in 2010 and three in 2022. The site was also linked to two overdose deaths in 2016 and 2020. Local residents had expressed their concerns about criminal activities at the property through complaints to their city councilwoman.

"This successful action demonstrates the positive impact of coordinated federal and state law enforcement partnerships to improve our community," said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. She emphasized that "The Yellow House" posed significant risks to local residents' safety.

DEA Special Agent Jarod Forget noted that investigations were part of Operation Overdrive – Phase 2, conducted with Richmond Police Department's collaboration.

Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards acknowledged that traditional law enforcement methods failed to resolve the issue entirely but appreciated federal assistance in addressing it.

The civil forfeiture action was initiated by filing a complaint in U.S. District Court, notifying potential claimants who could contest it. With no claims made against it, a default judgment was obtained, allowing the U.S. Marshals Service to sell the property.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Janet Jin Ah Lee and Kevin Hudson managed this case.