Federal Indictment Targets West Baltimore Drug Operation

A federal grand jury has indicted fourteen individuals in connection with a wide-reaching investigation into an open-air drug market operating in West Baltimore. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, the indictment details a conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances, including fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine, primarily from “street shops” located in the 1800 blocks of North Carey and Woodyear Streets. The operation, dubbed “Operation Tug of War” by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), aimed to dismantle the criminal enterprise responsible for supplying these illicit drugs to the community.

The indicted men are Walter Epps, Luther Amos, Antoine Benjamin, Wendell Boykins Jr., Davon Brown, Zy’quin Coleman, Xavier Cooper, Antonio Curtis, Keith Fryson, James Keene, Antonio Mason, Miayon Medley, Gregory Alexander Partlow, and Darien Whitaker. The charges against them include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, as well as possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Some individuals face additional charges for knowingly distributing and possessing with intent to distribute significant quantities of fentanyl. These charges carry potential penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison per count, with a mandatory minimum of five years for certain fentanyl-related offenses and up to 40 years for larger quantities.

The indictment alleges that key figures within the operation, including Walter Epps, served in supervisory roles, coordinating drug sales, replenishing drug supplies for subordinates, collecting and counting proceeds from sales, and in some instances, participating directly in the drug transactions. The group utilized multiple “stash” locations, including outdoor areas for immediate access and residences, such as that of Luther Amos, for storing larger quantities of narcotics. Law enforcement also reported that some of the co-conspirators unknowingly sold drugs to confidential informants and undercover investigators during the course of the investigation.

Recent law enforcement actions on July 29 resulted in the execution of arrest and search warrants. During these actions, authorities seized a significant quantity of items believed to be connected to the drug operation. These seizures included seven firearms, over 450 rounds of ammunition, hundreds of gel caps containing suspected fentanyl, more than a kilogram of suspected cocaine, several hundred grams of suspected fentanyl, over six pounds of marijuana, approximately 1,500 pills of an unknown suspected controlled substance, roughly $15,000 in cash, and 32 mobile phones. These seizures represent a substantial disruption to the alleged drug trafficking network.

This indictment is a result of collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Major Investigations Unit, and the Baltimore Police Department. Additional assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury IRS-Criminal Investigation Maryland Financial Intelligence Crimes Task Force, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Baltimore County Police Department. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes emphasized the continued commitment to holding individuals accountable for endangering the welfare of others and eradicating criminal activity throughout Maryland.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland

Video Spotlight