Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention Reports
Investigations Lead to Seizure of Heroin and Fentanyl, Recovery of Stolen Firearms, and Convictions of Suspects Involved in Drug Trafficking Operation
The Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) today announced another successful month for the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN). In July, MCIN coalition members made significant arrests, while also securing a number of convictions and indictments to dismantle drug and firearm trafficking organizations operating in Maryland.
MCIN is a criminal justice strategy funded by the Hogan administration through the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention. Announced by Governor Hogan in 2017, the MCIN strategy encourages local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to collaborate and share information to target, disrupt, and dismantle criminal organizations, including gangs and trafficking organizations.
“The Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network is made of men and women who work diligently to put an end to criminal enterprises that compromise our safety and quality of life here in Maryland,” said Glenn Fueston, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention. “Their commitment to protecting us from the negative impact of drugs and trafficking is outstanding. We applaud their hard work and ability to see cases through from start to finish, as well as the results they are achieving to make a safer Maryland.”
Baltimore City MCIN
In the beginning of the Summer, Baltimore City Police detectives received information about a suspect selling heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine on Ramsey Street in Southwest Baltimore. Officers were able to use this information to obtain and execute four search warrants in July. During those searches, officers seized:
37 gel caps filled with heroin and fentanyl
Four grams of suspected heroin and fentanyl
One ounce of crack cocaine
Approximately $47,000
Police arrested the suspect, a 40-year-old man from Baltimore County, and charged him with illegal drug manufacturing, drug possession, and possession with the intent to distribute.
Baltimore City and Carroll County MCIN
A grand jury returned an indictment against a suspect charged with trafficking drugs, including heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. Police say he was also found in illegal possession of firearms, because he is a prohibited person. The Carroll County Drug Task Force, with assistance from Maryland State Police and the Baltimore Police Department, served a search warrant at the suspect’s home in Baltimore City. The search resulted in the seizure of:
More than 35 grams of suspected heroin
Two grams of suspected cocaine
More than one dozen suspected hydrocodone pills
An AK-74 semi-automatic rifle loaded with 29 rounds of ammunition
A loaded .40 caliber handgun
More than $4,000 in cash
This indictment was presented by the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, working in conjunction with the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN) prosecutor from the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office. The Carroll County Drug Task Force includes members of the Maryland State Police, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Westminster Police Department, Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Cecil County MCIN
In July, MCIN partners in Cecil County secured convictions against two suspects arrested for drug possession in January, dismantling a drug trafficking organization in the process. The suspects in this case were stopped for traffic violations by the Maryland State Police Gang Enforcement Unit, as they conducted a gang and crime-suppression assignment in Perryville. During that traffic stop, troopers noticed signs of criminal activity. During a search of the vehicle, authorities seized:
296 individually packaged bags of heroin
Four bags of cocaine
One bag of crystal methamphetamine
Two glass jars containing marijuana
$667
Troopers later executed a warrant on a home and discovered:
Heroin
Psilocybin mushrooms
9 Clozapine pills
Marijuana
One firearm
One magazine
One box of ammunition
The MCIN prosecutor in Cecil County secured two convictions in this case. A judge sentenced one suspect to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute. Twelve years of the sentence were suspended. A second suspect was sentenced to five years in prison for drug possession.
Montgomery County MCIN
Montgomery County Police continue to investigate a burglary at the United Gun Shop in Rockville that happened June 13. The day of the robbery, the responding officer discharged his weapon after the suspects’ SUV struck and disabled his police cruiser. One suspect died at the scene while four others ran off. Police were able to link the Rockville gun store robbery to a previous burglary at Fox’s Firearms in Laurel. Police arrested three suspects from Anne Arundel County, ages 15, 17, and 21, shortly after the burglary.
Since then, Montgomery County Police, with help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Howard County Police Department have recovered 20 firearms and arrested three other suspects: an 18-year-old man from Anne Arundel County, a 16-year-old boy from Anne Arundel County, and a 20-year-old man from Howard County. Police are still searching for seven firearms. Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Montgomery County Police.