2024 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to take place this weekend

BALTIMORE, MD—National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 2024 will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The event is free and anonymous, and it aims to provide people with a safe and convenient way to dispose of prescription drugs. This event is hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and takes place every year. DEA and state and local partners […]

Massive regional drug bust leads to 7 arrests; authorities seize fentanyl, guns, body armor, $35K in cash

BALTIMORE, MD—Police say they have taken down a large, regional drug trafficking organization following an extensive, months-long investigation. At approximately 4 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2024, Baltimore Police Department detectives with the Group Violence Unit executed a total of eight warrants in partnership with SWAT teams, Anne Arundel County members, Baltimore County members, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, […]

Baltimore County resident who ran drug trafficking organization sentenced to 10 years in prison

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore County man who ran a drug trafficking organization in the Baltimore area has been sentenced to prison. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Ernest Lee Bailey, 51, of Owings Mills, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and […]

Baltimore County father and son sentenced for laundering drug trafficking Bitcoin proceeds intended for federal forfeiture

GREENBELT, MD—A father and son have been sentenced to prison for laundering drug trafficking Bitcoin proceeds. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has sentenced Joseph Farace, age 72, of Sparks, to 19 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for a money laundering conspiracy. On January 5, 2023, Judge Griggsby sentenced his son, Ryan Farace, age […]

Drug dealer with stash house in Baltimore County sentenced to 12 years in prison

BALTIMORE, MD—A drug dealer who had a stash house in Baltimore County has been sentenced to prison. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III on Monday sentenced Romesh Vance, 32, of Baltimore, to 150 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute between four and 12 kilograms of fentanyl and for violating his […]

DEA warns of sharp increase in trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the American public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for veterinary use. “Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” said Administrator […]

Baltimore County Police Department, federal authorities dismantle multi-state drug trafficking ring

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown on Wednesday announced the indictments of six defendants for their participation in an interstate cocaine trafficking conspiracy that resulted in the seizure of 15 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams of crack cocaine, 10 firearms including two assault-style rifles and a fully automatic Glock 30 handgun, and over $493,000 of narcotics proceeds. The investigation, […]

Nine Baltimore men indicted for participating in criminal gang, one indicted for murder of Marquis Carter

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown on Monday announced the indictments of nine Baltimore men for their participation in a criminal gang that operated throughout the Baltimore area distributing drugs and carrying out violent acts. One of those men is responsible for the November 2022 homicide of Marquis Carter of Baltimore. The defendants are Keontae Moore, 23; Dayvonta Mackey, […]