COMPLAINT THAT LED TO THESE ARRESTS. BARRY. WELL, THE UNSEALED CRIMINAL COMPLAINT ALLEGES DRUG RELATED CRIMES. THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ARRESTED, THE 14 OF THEM WERE IN BALTIMORE CITY, ANNAPOLIS AND ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY. AGAIN, 14 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN THOSE AREAS. THE COURT RECORD INDICATES THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TERM INVESTIGATION THAT BEGAN IN MAY OF LAST YEAR. THE COURT FOCUSES THE CASE ACTUALLY FOCUSES ON ALLEGED DRUG DEALERS OPERATING AN OPEN DRUG SHOP. THE CLAY STREET DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION, AS IT’S KNOWN, BASED IN ANNAPOLIS. THE SUSPECTS ARE ACCUSED OF SELLING COCAINE AND HEROIN IN THE NEW VERNON MOUNT AND THE NEW VERNON STREET AND CLAY STREET NEIGHBORHOOD. THE INVESTIGATION INCLUDES A FEDERAL WIRETAP AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE. THERE ARE ALSO ALLEGATIONS OF MONEY LAUNDERING IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR, DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENTS IN FLORIDA CONTACTED AGENTS IN BALTIMORE ABOUT AN ALLEGED DEAL TO PAY FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS. LOCAL DEA AGENTS SET UP A CONTROLLED MONEY DROP AND A PLASTIC BAG CONTAINING $76,000 WAS INTERCEPTED BY AN UNDERCOVER DEA AGENT. THE FBI SAYS THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.
Unsealed criminal complaint reveals federal agents arrested 14 people in Maryland on drug charges
Federal and state authorities raided multiple locations across Annapolis and Baltimore and arrested 14 people on drug charges, according to a criminal complaint unsealed and obtained Thursday by 11 News Investigates.According to the FBI, agents on Wednesday executed 18 searches authorized by the federal court for an investigation that started in May 2023 and involved more than 500 officers, federal wiretaps and video surveillance.”Thanks to diligent and comprehensive investigative work by the FBI’s Annapolis Safe Streets Task Force, a significant drug trafficking organization has been dismantled,” Bill DelBagno, special agent in charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, said in a statement.Eleven of the 14 people arrested face federal conspiracy and drug distribution charges and could face more charges, according to the FBI.During the raids in Annapolis, 11 News Investigates observed tow trucks with a police escort carrying away two large white Chevrolet vans. The FBI did not confirm if whether vehicles were impounded as part of the warrants.According to the criminal complaint, alleged drug dealers operated an open-air drug shop that sold cocaine and heroin out of the Annapolis neighborhoods around New Vernon and Clay streets — some areas just blocks away from the Maryland State House.”In a coordinated effort across three jurisdictions, the FBI and our law enforcement partners worked seamlessly to thwart the capabilities of this criminal enterprise that profited from peddling poison within our communities. We are working hard to identify and stop the most violent offenders and facilitators,” DelBagno said in a statement.In addition to the drug charges, there are also allegations of money laundering, and the FBI said authorities seized large amounts of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and oxycodone, as well as a shotgun, three handguns, almost $40,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia.In June 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Florida contacted agents in Baltimore about an alleged deal to pay for illegal drugs. DEA agents set up a controlled money drop, and an undercover DEA agent intercepted a plastic bag containing $76,000. “This operation is yet another example of how the teamwork among our law enforcement partners is stronger than ever,” Erek Barron, U.S. attorney for Maryland, said in a statement. “Together, with our community-based partners, our neighborhoods will be safe and secure.”An investigation continues.Video below: FBI agents, police raid multiple locations (Wednesday)
ANNAPOLIS, Md. —
Federal and state authorities raided multiple locations across Annapolis and Baltimore and arrested 14 people on drug charges, according to a criminal complaint unsealed and obtained Thursday by 11 News Investigates.
According to the FBI, agents on Wednesday executed 18 searches authorized by the federal court for an investigation that started in May 2023 and involved more than 500 officers, federal wiretaps and video surveillance.
“Thanks to diligent and comprehensive investigative work by the FBI’s Annapolis Safe Streets Task Force, a significant drug trafficking organization has been dismantled,” Bill DelBagno, special agent in charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, said in a statement.
Eleven of the 14 people arrested face federal conspiracy and drug distribution charges and could face more charges, according to the FBI.
During the raids in Annapolis, 11 News Investigates observed tow trucks with a police escort carrying away two large white Chevrolet vans. The FBI did not confirm if whether vehicles were impounded as part of the warrants.
According to the criminal complaint, alleged drug dealers operated an open-air drug shop that sold cocaine and heroin out of the Annapolis neighborhoods around New Vernon and Clay streets — some areas just blocks away from the Maryland State House.
“In a coordinated effort across three jurisdictions, the FBI and our law enforcement partners worked seamlessly to thwart the capabilities of this criminal enterprise that profited from peddling poison within our communities. We are working hard to identify and stop the most violent offenders and facilitators,” DelBagno said in a statement.
In addition to the drug charges, there are also allegations of money laundering, and the FBI said authorities seized large amounts of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and oxycodone, as well as a shotgun, three handguns, almost $40,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia.
In June 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Florida contacted agents in Baltimore about an alleged deal to pay for illegal drugs. DEA agents set up a controlled money drop, and an undercover DEA agent intercepted a plastic bag containing $76,000.
“This operation is yet another example of how the teamwork among our law enforcement partners is stronger than ever,” Erek Barron, U.S. attorney for Maryland, said in a statement. “Together, with our community-based partners, our neighborhoods will be safe and secure.”
An investigation continues.
Video below: FBI agents, police raid multiple locations (Wednesday)