(DENTON, MD) – An additional ten indictments and arrests have resulted from the continuing cooperative cross-jurisdictional and multi-state drug investigation, with more expected as police continue to dismantle a drug trafficking organization they believe was responsible for the distribution of heroin and a variety of other drugs throughout the Upper Shore region.
Between July 23, 2014 and July 25, 2014 the following suspects were arrested on Caroline County Circuit Court indictments:
The first suspect is identified as Byron S. Drummond, 27, of Denton, Md. He was served charging documents on 7/25/2014 and charged with being a drug kingpin, possession of a large amount of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin), possession with intent to distribute narcotics, and two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance not marijuana. Drummond is currently incarcerated on an unrelated drug conviction in the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center. Drummond will be held on no bond pursuant to the indictment.
The second suspect is identified as Joseph C. Dean, 25, of Denton, Md. He was arrested on 7/19/2014 and charged with being in possession of a large amount of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin), conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (heroin), conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (cocaine) and possession of a firearm in connection to a drug trafficking crime. Dean was originally held on $50,000. He was released after posting bail and is awaiting trial.
The third suspect is identified as Taylor E. Gibson, 22, of Denton, Md. She was arrested on 7/19/2014 and charged with being a drug kingpin, conspiracy possession of a large amount of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin), conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (heroin), conspiracy possession with the intent to distribute narcotics (cocaine). Gibson was held without bond in the Caroline County Detention Center.
The fourth suspect is identified as Kentral Carter, 29, of Ridgely, Md. He was arrested on 7/21/2014 and charged with possession of a large amount of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin), conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (heroin), and conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (cocaine). During the arrest of Carter, he was found to be in possession of additional heroin, cocaine, oxycodone hydrochloride pills and marijuana. Carter was originally held on $75,000 pursuant to the indictment and an additional $12,000 for the drugs found on his person during his arrest. Carter was released after posting bail and is awaiting trial.
The fifth suspect is identified as Adam Hutson, 21, of Greensboro, Md. He was arrested on 7/21/2014 and charged with possession of a large amount of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin), conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (heroin), and conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (cocaine). Hutson was held on $60,000 bond and is currently in the Caroline County Detention Center.
The sixth suspect is identified as Jason Bowen, 32, of Greensboro, Md. He was arrested on 7/21/2014 and charged with conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (heroin). Bowen was held on $10,000 and is currently in the Caroline County Detention Center.
The seventh suspect is identified as Lexi Whiteley, 23, of Ridgely, Md. She was arrested on 7/21/2014 and charged with conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (heroin). Whiteley was held on $25,000 and is currently in the Caroline County Detention Center.
The eighth suspect is identified as Charles Outland, 33, of Denton, Md. He was arrested on 7/22/2014 and charged with conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (heroin) and conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (cocaine). Outland was held on $75,000 and is currently in the Caroline County Detention Center.
The ninth suspect is identified as Drew Brelia, 23 of Greensboro, Md. He was arrested on 7/24/2014 and charged with conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (heroin). Brelia was held without bond and is currently in the Caroline County Detention Center.
The tenth suspect is identified as Emily Hill, 20, of Ridgely, Md. She was arrested on 7/24/2014 and charged with conspiracy possession with intent to distribute narcotics (heroin). Hill was held without bond and is currently in the Caroline County Detention Center.
“We expect that these arrests will effectively cripple the local heroin trade for a long time, but arresting dealers will only slow the epidemic, not eliminate it,” Caroline County State’s Attorney Jonathan Newell said. “As long as there is a demand, there will eventually be a supply. We hope this investigation will reduce the numbers of new users and interrupt the supply to existing users, and drastically reduce the number of overdoses in this county. But at the same time, the current heroin addicts in our community need to take this opportunity to seek treatment so we don't find ourselves right back in the same position a year from now. All suspects should be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
A number of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies were involved in and provided support to this investigation. They included the Talbot County Narcotics Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force, Dorchester County Drug Task Force, Denton Police Department, Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, Anne Arundel County Police Department, Baltimore Police Department, and Maryland State Police Units including the Centreville Barrack, State Apprehension Team, Gang Enforcement Unit, Special Tactical Assault Team Element, and the Criminal Enforcement Division.
Making the arrests this week, the Caroline County Drug Task Force was assisted by the Maryland State Police, the Maryland State Police Fugitive Apprehension Team, the Maryland State Police Field Operations Bureau, and the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation is continuing. Additional arrests and charges are expected.
