9 Indicted In $8M Cocaine Trafficking Ring
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Millions in drugs, jewelry and luxury cars were all seized as the feds busted a major drug trafficking ring. Investigators say they've dismantled one of the largest suppliers of cocaine in the Baltimore area---and the accused kingpin owns several Baltimore businesses that police say he used to hide drug money.
Meghan McCorkell has more on the major bust.
A grand jury has indicted nine people, all accused of being part of a multi-million dollar drug trafficking operation.
Fancy cars, millions of dollars---and murder. Investigators say it's all centered around a major drug trafficking ring that put hundreds of kilos of cocaine on Baltimore streets.
"This organization, we believe, is a major supplier of cocaine in the Baltimore region," said US attorney Rod Rosenstein.
An affidavit claims the drugs were transported in cars from Houston to Maryland and then money would be driven back. Federal officials say the alleged traffickers used hidden compartments inside cars to hide the drugs in case they were stopped by police.
The alleged mastermind of the organization, 43-year-old Kedrick Jenifer, lives a lavish lifestyle, owning a Rolls Royce Ghost worth nearly $300,000, a Ferrari 458 Italia, which runs more than $271,000 and a BMW M6 worth well over 100,000. His LinkedIn page lists him as the owner of several businesses, including a clothing store and a Rita's Ice in Fells Point.
"They use those businesses as an explanation for where the money is coming from," Rosenstein said.
Detectives are also looking into the group's involvement in the 2012 murder of one of Jenifer's associates, 60-year-old John Moore. Moore was found shot in the head days after police seized 30 kilos of cocaine from him.
DEA officials say they are waging war against the dangerous drug trade.
"If you're dealing drugs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, we're going to come after you," said DEA Special Agent Gary Tuggle.
Nine people now face federal charges of conspiring to distribute cocaine.
While serving 25 search warrants, investigators confiscated more than $3 million in cocaine.
Investigators believe the Jenifer group was also distributing drugs in Virginia.
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