One Of The Most Lethal Drug Trafficking Organizations Now Off Baltimore Streets
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- One of the most lethal drug trafficking organizations in Baltimore is now off the streets.
Hundreds of ATF agents from around the region, along with the Baltimore Police Department, were behind a major takedown early Wednesday morning.
The following were charged in the indictment:
Rodney Addison, a.k.a. "Black," a.k.a. "Freddy," age 39, of Baltimore
Deandre Anderson, a.k.a. "Meatball," age 22, of Baltimore
Kurt Atkins, age 55, of Baltimore
Jackie Bagley, a.k.a. "Bruce," a.k.a. "Juice," a.k.a. "Juicy," age 38, of Baltimore
Vernon Bartee, age 51, of Baltimore, Maryland;
Johntae Brown, a.k.a. "Tipp," age 19, of Baltimore
Dominic Durham, a.k.a. "Nick," age 18, of Baltimore
Wilbur Forrester, a.k.a. "Man Man," a.k.a. "Dreads," age 38; of Joppa
Keith Johnson, a.k.a. "Tree," age 46, of Baltimore
Antonio Jones, a.k.a. "Dre," age 23, of Baltimore
Andrew Manuel, a.k.a. "Low Low, age 21, of Baltimore,
Stancil McNair, a.k.a. "Deandre," a.k.a. "Do-do," age 20, of Baltimore
Ernest McRae, a.k.a. "Rat," a.k.a. "Man Man," age 37, of Baltimore
This was a 10-month investigation in what's been the deadliest district so far in 2017.
Authorities say these charges are in connection with a drug shop they say operated all day, every day, and was run by a group that was not afraid to kill those who got in their way.
It's an area where homeowners have lived in fear for years.
"You wouldn't want to live here," says one east Baltimore resident near Montford Ave.
Ravaged by one crime scene after the other.
"There's a lot of shootings up that way and murders. Drive-by shootings, it don't matter," says another east Baltimore resident.
Surrounded by what some call a "war zone."
"They'll shoot anyone, even children. They don't care," says another nearby resident.
On Wednesday, the ATF and Baltimore police say they took down one of the most lethal gangs in east Baltimore, indicting 13 members they say were behind one of the city's largest drug trafficking organizations.
"I know that I can now say east Baltimore is safer after this takedown," says special agent in charge of the Baltimore ATF, Daniel Board.
The group was known as the McRae and Bagley drug trafficking operation, accused of operating an open air drug shop along North Montford Ave.
A shop agents conducted surveillance on for months, that dealt heroin and crack cocaine, with deals ranging anywhere from $80 to $500.
"They literally operated 14 hours a day, 7 days a week, for years," says Stephen Schenning, Acting U.S. Attorney for Maryland.
While making it known that there were deadly consequences for those who stepped on their territory.
"It's a shame that homeowners and people in that community had to live in fear for years," says Dean Palmere, deputy commissioner for Baltimore Police Department.
Palmere acknowledged that the eastern district has been the deadliest so far in 2017.
According to the affidavit, one of the defendants is even accused of dealing drugs out of a hotel in downtown Baltimore where he worked.
"They were violent, armed offenders. This was a large trafficking organization" Board said.
Along with agents and detectives, NIBIN played a crucial role in the takedown. It's new technology that quickly matches shell casings from one crime scene to another.
With three defendants still on the loose, authorities say the message for them and other violent groups is simple.
"We're coming for you. We know who you are, and with NIBIN, it will connect us, and bring us to your doorstep" Board said.
ATF agents from Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania all assisted.
Authorities say the defendants are facing anywhere from 10 years to life in prison.
Authorities say the defendants are facing anywhere from 10 years to life in prison.
10 of the suspects have been taken into custody, but authorities are still working to find Wilbur Forrester, Antonio Jones, and Dominic Durham.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Forrester, Jones or Durham is asked to contact the ATF- Baltimore Field office at 1(888) ATF-TIPS. They're now offering a $2,000 reward.
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