11 people charged in connection with Baltimore City drug trafficking ring
Eleven people are facing charges after the takedown of a group that is connected to violence and fentanyl overdoses in south Baltimore, city leaders said Wednesday.
The takedown is one of multiple recent busts that came as a result of Baltimore's Group Violence Reduction Strategy.
"We want Baltimoreans to remain safe, alive, and free. At every available opportunity, we provide pathways for those at the highest risk of being involved in violence to step away from that life, but we absolutely will not tolerate groups that perpetrate harm and threaten the safety of our neighborhoods," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said.
In 2024, law enforcement began investigating following reports of fentanyl overdoses along Morrison Court in the Curtis Bay neighborhood. The investigation revealed that a drug trafficking group was selling drugs, namely fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.
Police said the Curtis Bay neighborhood contained multiple "notorious open-air drug shops," which have fueled shootings, assaults, and drug activities. The drugs and guns were hidden in and around abandoned and vacant Baltimore properties, police said.
During controlled purchases of fentanyl and cocaine, officers seized more than 1,500 individually packaged drugs. Nine handguns and three "Glock switches," which convert semi-automatic handguns into illegal automatic machine guns, were also recovered.
Anthony Cheeks, Jr., 42, from Baltimore, was charged as a higher-ranking member of the organization. On March 4, he was arrested in the area of the drug shop in Curtis Bay.
Other members of the group facing charges are:
- *Colby Brown, 22, of Baltimore City
- Rashad Bryant, 22, of Baltimore City
- Terry Cheeks, 20, of Baltimore City
- Andrew Clemons, Jr., 20, of Baltimore City
- Darico Cummings, 29, of Baltimore City
- *Rayquan Ford, 23, of Baltimore City
- Dorrell Gross, 49, of Baltimore City
- *Kairie Harrison, 23, of Baltimore City
- *Markel Hawkins, 23, of Baltimore City
- Jaquan McCain, 20, of Baltimore City
- Denise Smith, 40, of Baltimore City
(The asterisk means they have not been arrested)
"The takedown is a major win for this neighborhood and removing those that traffic deadly drugs and guns into our city," said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. "This level of coordination across law enforcement shows the power of strong partnerships and shared commitment in creating a safer Baltimore for all."
Operation Tornado Alley
In a major takedown dubbed 'Operation Tornado Alley', police targeted four criminal organizations operating in Southwest Baltimore.
The six-month-long investigation that ended in November 2024 involved collaboration between city and federal law enforcement. It led to the recovery of nearly $400,000 in cash, large amounts of cocaine and fentanyl, and the seizure of nearly 70 guns.
The evidence also included 15 stolen cars. After the takedown, police said they put a stop to a planned murder.
The bust resulted in the indictment of nearly 40 people, between the ages of 16 and 60. Investigators said the group operated in the 2000 block of West Pratt Street; the 500 block of Millington Avenue; the 1700 block of Lemmon Street; and the 2800 block of Edmondson Avenue.
Group Violence Reduction Strategy
Baltimore's GVRS program has been credited as being a driving force behind the reduction of violent crime in the city. Baltimore City Mayor Scott says the program has helped Baltimore achieve significant drops in gun violence.
Homicides went down 23% in 2024, with a total of 201 compared to 261 homicides in 2023.
"This takedown is a great example of how GVRS is working to make our communities in South Baltimore safer as we prepare for full expansion to the Southern District," Mayor Scott said.