24 face drug charges for alleged involvement in cocaine operation

After a three county investigation, 24 people were arrested under suspicion of drug crimes. The individuals are accused of being involved in a complex cocaine distribution operation throughout Maryland. All 24 face varying drug charges, but the police have identified three specific individuals whom they believe were ring leaders in the alleged operation.

The investigation supposedly began in the fall of 2013 and lasted about six months. The authorities believe that the operation imported powder and crack cocaine from other states into Queen Anne’s County, and from there it reportedly spread to Kent and Caroline counties. The authorities supposedly served 18 search warrants, and 14 of the suspects face related charges. The police also made 10 “on-view” arrests, six of which were felonies and four were misdemeanors.

The three supposed ring leaders each face multiple drug charges. The first one has a 35-count indictment against him, and a $250,000 bond was set for bail. The other two suspected ring leaders face several charges as well, and they were each being held as against bail set at a $100,000 bond for each person. All three men face specific charges, including conspiracy to import cocaine into the state, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to possess cocaine.

In cases like this one, where multiple people are arrested at one time and accused of drug charges for allegedly being involved in an operation, evidence must be found that proves each specific individual was involved in the conspiracy alleged order to uphold the drug charges. This task can often prove difficult for Maryland prosecutors. However, as each individual’s criminal proceeding moves forward, that person will benefit from taking whatever measures are necessary to protect their legal rights.

Source: wboc.com, “Two Dozen Arrests in Maryland Cocaine Distribution Investigation”, , May 20, 2014