United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Baltimore, Md. – Today, State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates announced the takedown of three Drug Trafficking Organizations operating in the West Baltimore area. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial.

“The concentration of Drug Trafficking Organizations in the Penn North Area is not only unacceptable from a quality-of-life standpoint, but it is also extremely dangerous, as evidenced by the ongoing violence and overdoses in that neighborhood,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “I am incredibly appreciative of my Major Investigations Unit for their strategic coordination with the Baltimore Police Department’s Group Violence Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is through this partnership that we have been able to dismantle three criminal organizations so quickly and begin the crucial process of delivering justice and accountability.”

Beginning in January 2025, the Baltimore Police Department Group Violence Unit (GVU) initiated an investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) operating in and around the area of the 700 block of Cumberland Street and the 1700 block of N. Carey Street. The DTO sold both heroin/fentanyl, which they advertised by the name “550”, and cocaine. As the investigation progressed, GVU detectives identified numerous individuals as members of the DTO, including, but not limited to, Dominic Lambert, Kevin Fowlkes, Clifton Bryant, Shawn Williams, Eric Morris, Antonio Thornton, and one juvenile. The investigation into the “550” DTO culminated in the issuance of arrest warrants for these seven individuals and the execution of search-and-seizure warrants on November 12, 2025.

“Our partnership with the Baltimore Police Department and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office is stronger than ever,” said DEA Washington Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Goumenis. “These unscrupulous and violent drug trafficking organizations preyed on the citizens of West Baltimore, selling heroin laced with fentanyl disguised as other substances. They don’t care about our people, but we do. We will not stop until we eliminate this threat and remove them from our communities. Our first priority is to save American lives!”

“I’m grateful for the work of the Baltimore Police Department, the Group Violence Unit, and the State’s Attorney’s Office to hold individuals accountable for putting potentially deadly drugs on our streets,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “As we continue to address the opioid crisis from all sides, this case is a prime example of our partnership around public safety, which is making a real difference for the residents of our city.” 

The following items were seized:

• Approximately $10,000 in U.S. Currency
• Approximately 660 grams of loose suspected fentanyl
• Approximately 1300 gelatin capsules of suspected fentanyl
• A copious amount of CDS manufacturing equipment and materials
• Three handguns

“The Baltimore Police Department remains firmly committed to targeting those who drive illegal drug distribution and related violence in our city. These cases are clear examples of what can be achieved through the relentless efforts of our Group Violence Unit, who worked alongside our law enforcement partners, including the DEA and HIDTA,” said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. "Our coordinated efforts with all our partners are making Baltimore safer. Drug trafficking fuels violence and preys on some of the most vulnerable members of our community. We will continue to pursue those who harm our residents and hold them accountable.”

While investigating the “550” DTO, Baltimore Police Department Group Violence Unit detectives identified a second DTO operating in close proximity, primarily in and around the 1700 block of N. Calhoun Street. This DTO sold both fentanyl, which they advertised by the name “Six-Nine”, and cocaine. Detectives identified Genard Hope, Damon Grady, Eric Briggs, Deonta Carter, Travis Smith, Dejuane Hicks, and Jamie Hawkins as members of what they believed to be an ongoing narcotics trafficking conspiracy. The investigation into the “Six-Nine” DTO led to the issuance of arrest warrants for these seven individuals and to the execution of search-and-seizure warrants on August 1, 2025.

The following items were seized:

• Approximately 500 grams of suspected fentanyl/heroin
• 120 grams of cutting agent
• U.S. currency
• CDS packaging materials
• Sawed-off shotgun with two live rounds
• Box of “00 buck shot”
• Mauser HSC 7.65 loaded with six 9mm rounds
• 19 Black top vials with suspected crack cocaine
• Polymer 80 9mm handgun
• Three cellular telephones
• 2.5 pounds of suspected cannabis
• 28 grams of suspected crack cocaine
• Arminius Florida HW51 revolver
• 300 gelatin capsules of suspected fentanyl/heroin
• Two boxes of 9mm ammunition
• One box of 7.62 ammunition
• 15 grams of white powder substance suspected of being fentanyl
• Shoe box containing approximately two grams of suspected crack cocaine

Since July 2025, GVU detectives, with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Washington Division, have also been investigating a DTO operating in and around the 2100 block of Brunt Street in the Western District of Baltimore City. The investigation into the DTO began after a mass opioid overdose event that occurred at the intersection of W. North Ave. and Pennsylvania Ave. on July 10, 2025. A total of 27 victims were located and treated for opioid overdoses in the immediate vicinity. GVU detectives began to review security footage, monitored CCTV, and reviewed Body Worn Camera footage, which led to the development of several people of interest who may be responsible for distributing the toxic narcotics. Following the overdose event on July 10, 2025, the significant police presence in the area caused the various DTOs to leave the area of W. North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue and establish sales in the surrounding blocks. One such DTO involved Shawn Oliver, Kevin Malone, Donte Drummond, Camron Harrison, and a juvenile. This DTO established a drug shop in the area of the 2100 block of Brunt Street, where over the course of the following five months, BPD detectives and DEA agents investigated their activity and learned that they sold large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.

The following items were seized:

• One vial suspected crack
• One zip suspected crack
• 16 flip tops suspected crack
• Scales, spoons with residue, razors, strainer with residue, bows with residue   
• One handgun grip
• Four pills suspected MDMA
• One – 30 round magazine
• One – 10 round magazine
• One Glock 19
• One 25 cal Handgun
• One magazine
• One barrel to a handgun
• One Polymer 80 with thirteen 9mm rounds within
• One Glock 17, with extended mag holding 20 rounds
• 41 grams crack cocaine
• Approximately $17,600 USD

original press release published by: The Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office - BPD, DEA, and State’s Attorney’s Office Secure 19 Indictments Related to Drug Trafficking in West Baltimore