Local, Federal Officials Announce Details Of Significant Crime Crackdown In Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Maryland's U.S. Attorney Robert Hur Thursday announced a significant crime crackdown in Baltimore in recent weeks.

Hurr said Thursday that President Donald Trump's recent comments will not deter a partnership between local and federal law enforcement.

Hur said over the past month, 90 defendants have been charged with federal crimes across the city. He said his office expects to charge 50 percent more violent offenders than in 2018.

"We're not going anywhere. We're here to stay, and we will keep doing this work together," Hur said at a news conference Thursday morning. "We are all in this together."

Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said Mr. Trump has had no impact on the relationship between the agencies.

The announcement of successes in the federal partnership comes as the President continues to criticize Baltimore.

Federal prosecutors highlighted four drug gangs targeted across the City.

Here's a breakdown from the U.S. Attorney's office:

Monument Street Drug Trafficking Organization ("DTO"): 

In this case, 25 defendants were arrested and charged in a 30-count superseding indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury on June 26, 2019, and unsealed on July 19, 2019. The superseding indictment charges the defendants with conspiring to distribute narcotics in and around the 400 block of North Montford Avenue and Jefferson Street, and around the 2400 block of East Monument Street at Port Street.  Beginning in July 2018, members of the conspiracy allegedly distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine to individual drug users, and in bulk quantities to other drug traffickers, who redistributed the drugs in and around Baltimore.  Ten of the conspirators also face firearms charges — including eight defendants charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person.  During the investigation, law enforcement seized nine firearms, more than 14 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 4.5 kilograms of heroin, and 479 grams of fentanyl — enough to kill over 200,000 people. In addition, law enforcement seized more than $472,000 in cash and jewelry and vehicles worth more than $466,000. 

Frederick and Collins:

The superseding indictment returned on July 10, 2019, charges six defendants for a drug distribution conspiracy allegedly operating since January 2019 in the area of Frederick and Collins Streets in West Baltimore. In addition to the drug conspiracy, Jebriel Ali, a/k/a Bril, is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and two counts of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person.  During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized five firearms, including a Glock pistol that was modified to fire as a fully-automatic gun. Ali is also charged with the possession with intent to distribute 400 grams of a substance containing fentanyl. If convicted, defendant Ali faces a minimum of 10 years imprisonment and up to life in prison.  His co-defendants face maximum prison terms of 20 to 40 years. 

Normandy, Franklin, and Loudon (NFL): 

This investigation resulted in two indictments charging a total of 38 defendants for allegedly participating in two drug trafficking organizations to distribute heroin, fentanyl, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine to drug users and redistributors in and around the Edmondson Village neighborhood of Southwest Baltimore. According to the superseding indictments, members of the drug trafficking organizations used residences in and around Baltimore to process, cut, package, and prepare the drugs for distribution. The defendants allegedly changed cell phones frequently to prevent the interception of their communications by law enforcement, and possessed firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities.  Specifically, the Butler DTO distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.  The Butler DTO allegedly cut the heroin and crack cocaine that they sold with other substances, including fentanyl, and at least five overdose deaths are attributed to the distribution of drugs by members of the conspiracy, including the father of one of the conspirators. As detailed in the superseding indictment, members and associates of the Adam Martin and Calvin Claxton DTO allegedly used violence to retaliate against those seeking to rob or cheat the DTO. That superseding indictment details several of these acts of violence, including a shooting murder on May 5, 2018, a gunfight on October 16, 2018 in which an unarmed bystander was struck in the crossfire, and the planned robbery of an unlicensed taxi driver.  During the course of the investigation law enforcement seized at least 17 firearms, ammunition, drugs, and more than $270,000 in drug proceeds.

Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard:

Twenty-one Baltimore men were indicted on federal charges for allegedly operating a drug distribution operation in Northwest Baltimore, distributing heroin, crack and powder cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana in the area of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard. The superseding indictment alleges that several of the defendants illegally possessed firearms in relation to drug trafficking.  Law enforcement seized 20 guns, more than $200,000 in cash, and more than a kilogram of fentanyl and 50 grams of crack cocaine from these defendants during the investigation.  Although not alleged in the indictment, the affidavit filed in support of the search warrants alleges that the defendants are part of an organization called LNG.  According to the affidavit, LNG is comprised of two allied groups who work together:  the Yellow Bus Gang ("YBG") Crips and the Black Guerilla Family ("BGF").  The affidavit alleges that LNG members participate in violent acts, including a gunfight on January 19, 2019, that occurred at approximately 11 a.m.

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