July 9, 2021 / 10:14 AM / CBS News. According to WJZ-TV, authorities believe Justin Aaron Spain, 41, of Lanham, was the main supplier. William T. Fergerson, a/k/a "Fats," age 42, of Silver Spring, Maryland. Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk, Maryland bust nets $1M in drugs, 9 arrests, 34 guns. REPORTER: CAROLINE COTYUN STATES ATTORNEY JOE RILEY REACTS TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A MAJOR DRUG BUST ON THE EASTERN SHORE. Alex Boesman. Nine people have been indicted in connection with a drug bust conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies in Maryland, authorities announced this week. Detectives found that the average size per cultivation at farms increased to 15 greenhouses, up from eight per farm in the year prior. REPOERRT: AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS OF SURVEILLANCE 11 WARRANTS WERE ISSUED IN CARONELI , DORCHESTER, PRINCE GEORGES, AND ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTIES. The following people are all being held without bond after they were indicted on various drug charges. The Border Patrolofficers utilized the ports imaging system to screen the vehicle and observed irregularities in the gas tank. It is not known if that was due to a missed vehicle at a Border Patrol port of entry, or perhaps by being backpacked into the U.S. by drug mules, then transferred to a vehicle. During the investigation, police said they seized more than 100 grams (0.10 kilograms) of suspected fentanyl and cocaine. In a Tuesday news release, Maryland State Police said the Caroline County Drug Task Force probe focused on a drug-trafficking organization believed to be distributing large amounts of cocaine, opioids, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamines along the Eastern Shore. Feb. 27, 2023, at 6:01 p.m. Ecuador, Belgium Sign Deal to Fight Crime After Mega Cocaine Bust. Howard County police say a neighbor complaint led to a four-month investigation ending in a drug bust worth $200,000. The Caroline County Drug Task Force started the investigation by looking into the operation of a drug trafficking organization believed to be distributing large amount of cocaine, opioids,. "Successes like today make it clear to criminals that as long as they pursue a life of crime, we will pursue them, and like those being indicted, they will end up behind bars," said Kunle Adeyemo, executive director of the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services.Police said investigators developed evidence from years of surveillance that led to warrants to search homes in Preston, Hurlock, Federalsburg, Lanham and Crofton, where police said they recovered more than 18 kilograms of cocaine, 2.7 kilograms of heroin/fentanyl, 5.9 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 170 pounds of marijuana, almost 34 guns and money believed to be connected to the drug operation. (WJZ) -- Authorities on Tuesday announced the indictments of nine Maryland residents as part of a multi-agency effort to dismantle a. More than 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and 66 kilograms of cocaine were found in a massive drug bust in Norco last month, making it the largest seizure of meth for the DEA's Los Angeles Division. According to the news release, an ongoing investigation into the sale of illegal drugs lead them to the 300 block of Columbia Street. Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. State police said the Caroline County Drug Task Force started investigating information about a large amount of cocaine, opioids, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamines in Caroline and Dorchester counties and parts of Delaware. New Topgolf facility opens next to Montebello Golf Course, Man stopped at Pa. airport with explosive concealed in checked luggage, Elizabeth Holmes has 2nd child as she tries to avoid prison. REUTERS/Karen ToroReuters. "This illegal activity is impacting the quality of life for residents and businesses and if left unaddressed will have long lasting and devastating affects in the region," Barger said. Jovan Brian Lancaster, a/k/a "Juvie," age 30, of Maryland. inmate tried to escape from the Central Mens Jail today, Teacher from Santa Ana arrested for allegedly placing a recording device in a high school bathroom, An O.C. Major Joint-Operation underway in the High Desert to take down Illegal Cartel Operated Marijuana Groves impacting farmers, families, and businesses. That is what's coming.". FILE PHOTO: Workers unload sacks containing cocaine packages from a truck before the incineration of . No portions of this website may be reproduced, retransmitted, copied, or republished without expressed written consent from Shore News Media & Marketing, LLC. Riley, the Caroline County State's Attorney, noted that Caroline, Dorchester and Talbot counties each have populations of roughly 35,000--significantly smaller than the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas. The lieutenant said the combined street value of the drugs recovered during the investigation was at least $1 million. February 25, 2022. The operation, which began on June 8, resulted in 22 felony arrests, 109 misdemeanor arrests, and 19 arrests from water theft enforcement teams, officials said. Police said detectives saw a hand-to-hand drug transaction in the parking lot. Their investigation began with some tips in 2019. "There's a lot of money. 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Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The drugs have an estimated street value of $33 million. Spain, who is being held without bond at the Caroline County Detention Center, faces a list of charges including two counts of being a drug kingpin along with possession and distribution of a large amount of a controlled dangerous substance, among other offenses. Others indicted in the case include: Margerette Derosiers, 28, of Federalsburg; Andre Woolford, 33, of Hurlock; Joseph Spain, 44, and Michelle Spain, 48, both of Preston; James Simms, 36, of Great Mills; and George Butler, 56, of Federalsburg. Among those indicted were 41-year-old Justin Spain of Lanham, who's accused of being the organization's main supplier, along with 36-year-old Michael Holland of Hurlock and 39-year-old Gregory Williams Jr. of Federalsburg, both of whom are alleged to have been Spain's key distributors. Maryland State Police say it was a historic drug bust, with a total street value of an estimated $1 million dollars. After executing 11 search warrants in Preston, Hurlock, Federalsburg, Lanham and Crofton, authorities seized more than $1 million in drugs, including 18 kilograms of cocaine and 170 pounds of marijuana, the release said. The second indictment charges four defendants with drug trafficking operations conducted in the area of a music studio located in the 7900 block of Cryden Way in District Heights, say law enforcement authorities. During the search, police seized: December 18, 2019. Authorities say Anthony Niles allegedly directed and/or supplied local drug distributors operating in Prince George's County and the surrounding area from at least February 2015 to June 3, 2015. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD. First published on April 26, 2022 / 6:00 PM. We have teamed up with the @usarmy @deahq @vcsheriff @kernsheriff @seblasd to eradicate these illegal Marijuana groves. They also found two handguns and an undisclosed large sum of money. Investigators saw someone carry out three boxes from the home and put them in a vehicle, according to authorities. Andres Jesus Morales, 30, and Christine Ponce, 27, were charged with four drug-related felonies with the intent to sell a controlled substance, the Riverside . April 26, 2022 / 6:00 PM While California legalized therecreational use of marijuana in 2018, illegal grows of the crop have been on the rise in the state. Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, $1.19 billion worth of marijuana seized in massive drug bust in California, Legal weed sales start in Connecticut at 7 medical marijuana establishments, Biden pardoning prior federal offenses of marijuana possession, Large majority favor legal recreational marijuana under federal law, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Narcotic Bureau, Sheriff Villanueva & Officials Announce the Results of the Largest Marijuana Eradication Operation. "The reality is they were intended for the large metropolitan areas along the Mid-Atlantic.". This all came about because fn . 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Get the WBAL-TV app; Sign up for email alerts, Gregory Lovern Williams Jr., 39, of Federalsburg, Margerette Derosiers, 28, of Federalsburg, George Alfred Butler, 56, of Federalsburg. Local authorities charged a California man and woman Thursday in a massive drug bust that found more than 46 pounds of a lethal and potent synthetic opioid, multiple sources reported. The Riverside Police Department raided Morales and Ponces home in Perris, California, on Aug. 17, where they found 46.2 pounds of carfentanil, 8.8 pounds of cocaine, and 2.2 pounds of heroin, according to USA Today. A Pasadena drug bust prompted two arrests, police said. >> THIS IS THE LARGEST DRUG BUST AS MY TIME ASN A ELECTED PROSECUTOR. (EASTON, MD) Sheriff Joe Gamble, chairman of the Talbot County Drug Task Force, today announced that 22 people from the Eastern Shore who are alleged to have been part of a drug trafficking organization have been indicted on state and federal drug charges, following a 10-month investigation by the task force. The former vice president has become the Democratic front-runner with primary victories across the country. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Police: Task force dismantles Eastern Shore drug trafficking organization. Investigators said the searches also uncovered 2.7 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl, 5.9 kilograms of crystal meth and 34 firearms. SEIZED TO KILL EVERYONE ON THE EASTERN SHORE. Officers charged the suspects with distribution and weapon violations. The investigation into the drug trafficking organization remains ongoing. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), 13-year-old girl killed in crash involving tractor-trailer on I-485 in west Charlotte, police say, Shanquella Robinson case needing high-level diplomatic intervention, attorney says, Man in Charlotte wins $1 million off $25 scratch-off, York County teens hospitalized after pursuit ends in crash, Super-rare Jurassic-era bug discovered during Walmart shopping trip, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. The. The initial appearances of the defendants start Monday afternoon at the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. There's a lot of networks. "We are working with agencies throughout the nation to identify Justin Spain's main suppliers wherever he was getting the product from," said Howard, who described the rest of those indicted in the case as "low-level distributors. Not all U.S. presidents are missed once they leave the White House. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Drugs and drug proceeds were stored at some of the homes of the defendants, say authorities. By Tori B. Powell. She called on the district attorney to prosecute those arrested in the operation. "This massive seizure likely saved lives and prevented the Sinaloa Cartel from doing business and profiting on the lives of people in our communities.". A 37-year-old Edgewood man was arrested on gun and drug distribution charges in Ocean City on Tuesday following a two-year investigation by local law enforcement agencies . 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. "This is an issue that is plaguing, and will continue to plague, if we do not make it very uncomfortable and one way to make it uncomfortable is to prosecute," Barger said. 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