Baltimore Police Arrest 2 Major Drug Suspects In The City

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- More than $250,000 worth of drugs and cash are seized by police in a major drug bust. Police say two major drug distributors are in custody.

Rick Ritter explains the key role a police K-9 played in the bust.

K-9s were crucial in making these arrests possible, helping take down two major drug dealers for one of the city's biggest busts of the entire year.

More than a kilo of heroin, another kilo of cocaine and pounds of marijuana--a massive batch of drugs police say were just minutes from hitting the streets of Baltimore.

"Not only do these poisons ruin lives and add to people's addictions and addictive criminal behaviors, but they spark violence," said Commissioner Kevin Davis, Baltimore Police Department.

Two men, 40-year-old Derrek Lamb and 51-year-old Rayon Gray, are being pinned with the charges.

"Where there's drugs, there's money; and where there's money, there's guns," Comm. Davis said.

As part of Operation Ceasefire, detectives were conducting a narcotics investigation in Northwest Baltimore on Wednesday when they pulled over 40-year-old Lamb. A K-9 sniffed out the vehicle.

"They were the piece that led to the probable cause to be able to search these vehicles," said Lt. Christopher O'ree, oversees Operation Ceasefire.

Inside Lamb's car--heroin and cocaine. Across the parking lot, police say 51-year-old Gray was trying to get away.

"He's seen low crawling, actually crawling on his belly across the parking lot with a set of keys in his hand," said Lt. O'Ree.

The K-9 alerted police to close to 20 pounds of marijuana in his car--altogether, a total street value of roughly $263,000.

Police say the two played a key role in dealing drugs throughout west and northwest Baltimore--a takedown they hope sends a strong message.

"Put the guns down. Stop the shooting. It's as simple as that," said Lt. O'ree.

Detectives also executed a search warrant at a local bakery they say the two suspects had owned. Both men are facing several drug charges.

Both suspects are being held at Central Booking.