9, Including Baltimore Drug Boss, Indicted On Charges
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Baltimore Police Department announced Tuesday morning nine indictments for members of the a west Baltimore drug operation around Edmondson Ave.
Nine people were indicted related to the Brick City Organization, and police say eight of those suspects are in custody. Authorities hope to have the ninth suspect in custody by the end of the day Tuesday.
Brandon Pride, a west Baltimore drug boss, ring leader and member of the bloods, has been indicted on a number of charges.
Pride has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, multiple counts of solicitation to commit murder and witness intimidation and one count of the state's drug kingpin statute, among other charges and was being held without bond.
Investigators have the linked the organization to an area that's been battling a surge of violence for months. They're associating the group with 19 murders, 30 shootings and close to 50 aggravated assaults and armed robberies.
"The M.O. for this organization is witness intimidation, expansion of their operation through murder," ATF Chief Sean Miller said.
Investigators said the group operated along Edmondson Avenue and besides violence and intimidation, they were known for dealing drugs and some shops could make up to $20,000 a day.
Those who live in the area are breathing a sigh of relief.
"It puts back a sense of pride in the community," one man said.
A district that's been devastated by guns and drugs.
"I know that in this area, at certain times it's not safe to be out on streets," one woman said.
With eight alleged members now behind bars, authorities say the message for other groups like this is simple.
"I know exactly who they are, we know exactly where they are," Daniel Board of the ATF said.
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