Baltimore man convicted of firearm, fentanyl possession in drug trafficking scheme
BALTIMORE -- A Baltimore man was found guilty of intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm – including a ghost gun – in relation to a drug trafficking scheme, according to the Maryland State's Attorney's Office.
According to court evidence, 36-year-old Ryan Dales was arrested on January 20, 2023. A search warrant executed at Dales' apartment in the Locust Point area of Baltimore revealed items he used in his illegal drug trafficking business.
During the search, law enforcement officials found two loaded firearms, including a privately made ghost gun with no serial number, a box of ammunition and numerous packages of substances including fentanyl, according to court records.
Officials also found six cell phones, packs of digital scales, empty capsules and other materials used for drug distribution.
According to court records, Dales later waived his Miranda rights and admitted the firearms seized from his apartment belonged to him. He also told officials he was a "very resourceful person," in reference to his work as a drug dealer.
Court records show Dales' DNA was found on both firearms and their magazines.
Officials later reviewed Dales' devices and found several Telegram chats in which he negotiated buying drugs and cutting agents from people, including mass producers of fentanyl in China, according to court documents.
Investigators also found evidence that Dales traveled to Boston with a firearm - identical to the ghost gun found in his apartment – and a bag of cash to purchase drugs. His search history revealed searches for where fentanyl is produced in China, how to dye powders and how many bullets a Smith and Wesson firearm can hold, according to court documents.
Dales faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for firearm possession, up to 40 years for fentanyl possession, and up to life for using a firearm in a drug trafficking crime, according to court officials. He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.
Dales was also charged with wire fraud and identity theft after he allegedly received fraudulent unemployment benefits and used victims' identities to buy high-end lawnmowers on credit. That trial is scheduled to begin on January 13, 2025.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Dales' case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) a project that brings law enforcement agencies together to reduce gun violence and violent crime.
The Department of Justice launched PSN in Maryland in May 2021.
The program also aided in the conviction and sentencing of a Baltimore City man who assaulted and carjacked a Baltimore Police detective in 2022.
