Parkersburg Police Chief Joe Martin said a few drug dealers in the Parkersburg area have had connections with Mexican cartels.

"Although there has been no overt evidence of a Mexican drug cartel involvement in the local drug scene, we have identified drug dealers in our area within the past two years that have confirmed Mexican ties," said Martin.

According to the U.S. State Department, at least 106 residents of the U.S. were killed in connection with Mexican drug battles in 2010, up from 79 U.S. citizens in 2009. The presence of cartels has been documented in more than 230 U.S. cities.

"I think, ultimately, it is safe to say that many of the drugs being distributed in our area, especially in the way of cocaine and heroin, could have some sort of connection to a drug cartel, albeit a distant connection," said Martin.

Cartels range from highly organized and business-like groups to loosely-knit agreements among dealers. Some local drug networks operate like legitimate businesses.

"We absolutely know that there are organized and sophisticated groups of drug dealers functioning in our area at this time," Martin said. "They spend a lot of money taking care of their 'employees' in the way of buying transportation and paying any court costs associated with an unfortunate arrest, right down to providing food and clothes."

Currently in Parkersburg, there is an influx of out-of-town drug dealers who are part of organized drug networks, he said.

"These dealers are from Chicago, Detroit, Columbus and Zanesville, among other cities. We have found that large organized drug networks send people to this area to distribute," said Martin.

"The common information we receive from arrestee interviews is that the drugs bring a significant profit here, as opposed to places where the supply is abundant. Also, it is common to have a drug dealer tell us they like the nightlife here, referring to the clubs and strip bars."

Large-scale operations are carried out in rural areas in West Virginia and Ohio.

Authorities in Vinton County, Ohio, about 70 miles east of Wood County, recently discovered a large-scale marijuana grow that was compared to a Mexican growing operation.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification spotted a large field of marijuana during a routine helicopter ride. The field contained 17,000 plants, carrying a street value of $1 million.

Vinton County Sheriff David Hickey said the grow was likely connected with Mexican drug networks, who send people into the United States to set up growing operations in secluded areas.

Cartels established in the U.S. generate billions in revenues.

According to The National Drug Intelligence Center, Mexican drug trafficking organizations operating in the U.S. generate between $17.0 billion and $38.3 billion in gross wholesale proceeds from U.S. sales of Colombian-produced cocaine that they distribute and Mexico-produced heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana annually.

To combat cartels on an international level, the U.S. and Mexican governments formed the Merida Initiative in 2007. The alliance works to disrupt criminal drug groups, create a stronger border, and build stronger communities.

On a local level, Martin said police continue to try and trace the origins of drugs coming into Parkersburg and build relationships with law enforcement agencies.

"We have a large number of people in our area who are addicted to drugs, which ultimately fuels all organized drug trafficking efforts," said Martin. "All the departments have a very good working relationship with one another and we all strive for the same goal - the eradication of all illegal drugs."