ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced another successful month for the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN), including the complete dismantling of a drug trafficking organization that operated in Southwest Baltimore and the indictment of more than a dozen people suspected of trafficking deadly narcotics, including fentanyl.
During the month of September, law enforcement agencies in Maryland made dozens of arrests related to violent crimes and drug trafficking organizations that were distributing a number of controlled dangerous substances throughout the state, including nearly 500 grams of fentanyl. According to the DEA, that amount could kill more than 200,000 people.
“The safety and security of our citizens is a top priority, and the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network is making a difference by helping to restore our communities impacted by violent crime.” said Governor Hogan. “These recent arrests send a powerful message that trafficking of illegal drugs will not be tolerated.”
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 other groups that conduct drug, firearm, and human trafficking. So far, the Hogan administration has invested roughly $9 million in the MCIN initiative, with more than $1.7 million going to efforts in Baltimore City since 2018.
“Governor Hogan has encouraged his administration to work across disciplines to find ways to address the opioid epidemic,” said Glenn Fueston, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, during a press conference with Baltimore Police and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office announcing recent indictments. “Our MCIN partners have played an important role in stopping the distribution of dangerous drugs like fentanyl in our state, and we are grateful for their hard work to protect our communities and put traffickers behind bars.”
Baltimore City MCIN
On September 10, Baltimore City Police executed nine search warrants and dismantled the “Primetime” drug trafficking organization, which sold fentanyl in Southwest Baltimore. As a result of this investigation, police made seven arrests and seized:
Twelve suspects have been indicted on state Kingpin and related drug charges. Baltimore Police worked with the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program to complete this operation.
Salisbury MCIN
The Maryland State Police Gang Enforcement Unit led two multijurisdictional operations that yielded more than a dozen arrests to reduce violent crime and violations involving firearms on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. During the first operation, State Police and allied agencies gathered information and identified a number of gang members and other suspects in open criminal investigations. Seven people from Salisbury were arrested and investigators seized:
During the second crime reduction operation, Maryland State Police arrested 11 people from Salisbury and Snow Hill. Authorities also seized two firearms along with suspected controlled dangerous substances including fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana and the sedative alprazolam. At least one person arrested had ties to an organized gang.
Maryland State Police partnered with the Salisbury Police Department, Wicomico County State’s Attorney Office, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations- RAC Eastern Shore Office, Maryland State Police Gun Enforcement Unit- East, Maryland State Police S.T.A.T.E. Team, Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack, and the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force to complete these operations.
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During the month of September, law enforcement agencies in Maryland made dozens of arrests related to violent crimes and drug trafficking organizations that were distributing a number of controlled dangerous substances throughout the state, including nearly 500 grams of fentanyl. According to the DEA, that amount could kill more than 200,000 people.
“The safety and security of our citizens is a top priority, and the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network is making a difference by helping to restore our communities impacted by violent crime.” said Governor Hogan. “These recent arrests send a powerful message that trafficking of illegal drugs will not be tolerated.”
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 other groups that conduct drug, firearm, and human trafficking. So far, the Hogan administration has invested roughly $9 million in the MCIN initiative, with more than $1.7 million going to efforts in Baltimore City since 2018.
“Governor Hogan has encouraged his administration to work across disciplines to find ways to address the opioid epidemic,” said Glenn Fueston, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, during a press conference with Baltimore Police and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office announcing recent indictments. “Our MCIN partners have played an important role in stopping the distribution of dangerous drugs like fentanyl in our state, and we are grateful for their hard work to protect our communities and put traffickers behind bars.”
Baltimore City MCIN
On September 10, Baltimore City Police executed nine search warrants and dismantled the “Primetime” drug trafficking organization, which sold fentanyl in Southwest Baltimore. As a result of this investigation, police made seven arrests and seized:
- Approximately 450 grams of fentanyl
- 85 grams of crack cocaine
- A loaded Ruger pistol that was reported stolen
- More than $69,000 in cash
Twelve suspects have been indicted on state Kingpin and related drug charges. Baltimore Police worked with the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program to complete this operation.
Salisbury MCIN
The Maryland State Police Gang Enforcement Unit led two multijurisdictional operations that yielded more than a dozen arrests to reduce violent crime and violations involving firearms on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. During the first operation, State Police and allied agencies gathered information and identified a number of gang members and other suspects in open criminal investigations. Seven people from Salisbury were arrested and investigators seized:
- 39.7 grams of marijuana
- 2 grams of heroin
- 42.3 grams of fentanyl
- 10.1 grams of cocaine
- 14.5 grams MDMA/Ecstasy
- 15 milligrams of Oxycodone
During the second crime reduction operation, Maryland State Police arrested 11 people from Salisbury and Snow Hill. Authorities also seized two firearms along with suspected controlled dangerous substances including fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana and the sedative alprazolam. At least one person arrested had ties to an organized gang.
Maryland State Police partnered with the Salisbury Police Department, Wicomico County State’s Attorney Office, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations- RAC Eastern Shore Office, Maryland State Police Gun Enforcement Unit- East, Maryland State Police S.T.A.T.E. Team, Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack, and the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force to complete these operations.
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