A 19-count indictment has charged eight men from the metropolitan Washington D.C. area with participating in an interstate fentanyl and cocaine conspiracy believed responsible for distributing multi-kilogram quantities of narcotics in the region.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ, Samuel Braxton, 55, formerly of Washington, D.C., Ronnie Rogers, 68, of Washington D.C., Wayne Glymph, 57, of Port Tobacco, MD, Ricky Jackson, 65, of Washington, D.C., Kevin Quattlebaum, 57, of Upper Marlboro, MD, Michael Owens, 36, of St. Charles, MD, and Michael Stewart, 59, of Washington, D.C. were all charged.
As of November 29, 2023, seven of the eight defendants are in custody.
The indictment alleges overlapping conspiracies to possess and distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine.
DEA chemists determined that a portion of the fentanyl powder contained carfentanil, an animal tranquilizer 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
Read: California Juvenile Arrested For Swatting Attacks Targeting Synagogues
“This group of defendants was allegedly supplying deadly fentanyl and carfentanil – a fentanyl analogue that is 100 times more potent than regular fentanyl – across multiple states in kilogram quantities,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “As I have said before, anyone selling this poison on our streets or funneling these drugs to our community will find themselves on the wrong end of a criminal investigation. With the dedicated legion of law enforcement partners, we will pursue those people regardless of where – in the United States or the world – they may be.”
“Fatal drug poisonings caused by deadly drugs like fentanyl are the most significant threats throughout the United States and in our area, in particular,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Forget. “These poisonings are driven by drug traffickers and local gangs involved in violent crimes. Thanks to the investigation by DEA and local, state, and federal partners, the indictments mentioned today led to dismantling a multi-state drug trafficking organization that was involved in distributing unprecedented amounts of fentanyl within and beyond the Nation’s Capital.”
According to the indictment, the fentanyl distribution conspiracy and the cocaine distribution conspiracy ran from at least July 2021 and August 2022, respectively, until November 2023, when arrests were executed.
Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized more than eight kilograms of high potency fentanyl, some of which was at least 65% pure; more than 6,000 fake pills containing fentanyl produced to resemble OxyContin; and more than six kilograms of cocaine.
Law enforcement also seized eight firearms, of which at least one had armor-piercing capabilities nicknamed “the cop killer;” and more than $70,000 in cash and money orders, including money intercepted that was intended for the purchase of kilogram quantities of fentanyl.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service remains steadfast in its collaboration with law enforcement partners, standing side by side to relentlessly pursue individuals infiltrating our communities with this deadly drug,” Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge – Washington Division. We remain committed in eradicating these illicit substances from the U.S. mail and consequently safeguarding our customers and employees.”
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division, the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Alexandria Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help. Visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps.