Federal, local agencies arrest 14 in regional drug bust

BALTIMORE, MD—Federal and local law enforcement agents arrested 14 people and seized narcotics, guns and drug paraphernalia in an operation that spanned Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and the Baltimore area, authorities announced this week.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland said in a news release that the “large-scale drug and gun bust” involved more than 500 officers, agents and personnel from federal, state and local agencies.

Authorities said they seized distribution levels of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone, along with one shotgun, three handguns and nearly $40,000 in cash.

Eleven of those arrested face federal charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Additional charges may follow.

“This operation is yet another example of how the teamwork among our law enforcement partners is stronger than ever,” U.S. Attorney for Maryland Erek Barron said in a statement. “If we work together, with our community-based partners, our neighborhoods will be safe and secure.”

William J. DelBagno, special agent in charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, said the operation dismantled a “significant drug trafficking organization.”

“In a coordinated effort across three jurisdictions, the FBI and our law enforcement partners worked seamlessly to thwart the capabilities of this criminal enterprise that profited from peddling poison within our communities,” DelBagno said in a statement. “We are working hard to identify and stop the most violent offenders and facilitators.”

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels