Huge Drug Bust Brought ATF Activity to Broadneck

More than 40 people were charged with various drug trafficking offenses as part of a major drug bust that involved 300 police officers and reached from Baltimore to Broadneck, according to the Maryland U.S. States Attorney’s office.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officials were seen near Wednesday. A spokeswoman with the ATF Baltimore Field Division confirmed the officers were involved with the investigation that led to the indictment of 15 Baltimore men on charges related to the operation of a drug distribution ring in Baltimore.

“We had several search warrants and arrest warrants in [Anne Arundel] County yesterday in reference to this investigation,” Special Agent Clare A. Weber, wrote in an email to Patch.

ATF led at least 300 officers who executed 29 federal and state search warrants on Thursday, according to a news release from the Maryland U.S. States Attorney’s office. In addition to the 15 indictments, 40 additional people were charged on drug trafficking offenses as a result of the investigation.

Police are still searching for three of the people indicted: Edward Robinson, 24, also known as “Mad Lou” and “Little Man;” Justin Malone, 29, also known as “Smoke” and “Anthony Montgomery;” and Christopher Marshall, 24, according to the release. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the men is asked to contact ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS.

The other 12 people indicted are in custody.

“ATF’s Violent Crime Impact Team (VCIT), in coordination with over 300 state and local law enforcement officials executed the enforcement action dubbed, ‘Brooklyn to the Bay’ in and around the city of Baltimore,” ATF Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop said in a written statement. “We focused on the tools of the trade that make drug organizations a viable and violent threat to public safety.”

The first indictment charges five men with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin from 2010 to the present. If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory 10 years and up to life in prison.

The second indictment charges another seven men with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine from February 2011 to the present. If convicted, the defendants face a minimum mandatory five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison.

The final federal indictment charges three more men with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine between May and June 2011. They face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Another defendant was charged by criminal complaint with possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.