TASK FORCE DISRUPTS SIGNIFICANT DRUG DISTRIBUTION NETWORK ON EASTERN SHORE

(CENTREVILLE, MD) – A combined local, state and federal law enforcement partnership has led to the disruption of a cocaine distribution network operating throughout the Upper Eastern Shore and the arrests of two dozen suspects.   

Police believe three suspects were involved in directing the operation.  The first suspect is identified as Adrian L. Reed, aka “Slick,” 37, of the 2200-block of Pondtown Road, Chestertown, Md.  He was arrested May 12, 2014 and charged on a 35 count indictment of drug related charges including conspiring to import cocaine into the state, conspiring to distribute cocaine, conspiring to possess cocaine, conspiring to manufacture cocaine, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.  He is currently being held on $250,000 bond. 

The second suspect is identified as Baraka Z. Chauka, aka “Rock,” 37, of the 1400-block of Barclay Road, Barclay, Md.  He was arrested May 19, 2014 and charged on a multiple count indictment of drug related charges including conspiring to import cocaine into the state, conspiring to possess cocaine, conspiring to distribute cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute.  He is currently being held on $100,000 bond. 

The third suspect is identified as Carlos J. Cain, aka “Cain,” 40, of the 100-block of Washington Street, Centreville, Md.  He was arrested May 8, 2014 and charged on an indictment with conspiring to import cocaine into the state, conspiring to possess cocaine, and conspiring to distribute cocaine.  He is currently being held on $100,000 bond. 

The more than six month investigation began in the fall of 2013 when the Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force, the Maryland State Police, the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, and the Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, began an intense investigation of a cocaine distribution ring operating in Queen Anne’s County.  During the investigation, it was learned the three suspects listed above were importing large amounts of powder and crack cocaine from Delaware and Pennsylvania into Queen Anne’s County.   

Investigators believe they were importing and distributing more than three pounds of cocaine within a two month period.  They were then using a network of distributors to sell the cocaine in Queen Anne’s, Kent, and Caroline counties.   

During the ensuing investigation, police served 18 search warrants in Maryland and two in Delaware.  Police obtained felony indictments on 14 persons, including the three listed above.  In addition, police made six on-view felony arrests and four on-view misdemeanor arrests.  They recovered more than $14,000 in drug related money and eight vehicles believed to be involved in, or the fruits of, the drug operation.  Police recovered various amounts of marijuana, powdered and crack cocaine, and heroin.    

The Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force is comprised of members of the Maryland State Police, The Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, the Queen Anne’s County Office of the State’s Attorney, the Centreville Police Department and the Maryland Natural Resources Police, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. 

Investigations like this one highlight the multi-jurisdictional nature of drug crimes and how the close working relationship between the Maryland State Police, the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and numerous allied law enforcement partners both in and out of Maryland, are helping stem the flow of illegal drugs coming into Queen Anne’s County. 

MD. State Police News Release