Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown revealed the successful dismantling of two significant drug trafficking rings operating in Baltimore through coordinated investigations by state and local law enforcement agencies.

The first case targeted the “LND” organization based in northwest Baltimore, with the acronym referring to the Longwood, North, and Dukeland neighborhood streets where they operated. Ten members were indicted after a nearly year-long undercover probe found they were selling heroin, cocaine and firearms.

One defendant, Roland King, faces 127 criminal counts. Investigators seized 14 firearms and nearly 2 kilograms of fentanyl – enough to potentially kill 870,000 people according to Brown.

“That’s 1.5 times the population of Baltimore City,” the AG emphasized.

The second takedown focused on a drug ring using the American Market convenience store on Washington Boulevard in Morrell Park as a front for distributing fentanyl and cocaine. Five individuals were indicted, including alleged large-scale supplier Dustin Shrout, 24.

Seized items included 2,000 fentanyl pills, 200 grams of cocaine, over $6,300 in cash, and four firearms – one of which was a “ghost gun” equipped with a laser sight.

“The people of this community are taking back what has been theirs all along – their parks, schools, playgrounds, neighborhoods, streets and businesses,” Brown stated.

The investigations were led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit collaborating with the Baltimore Police Department’s Group Violence Unit under the Mayor’s violence reduction strategy, plus the Maryland State Police.

Brown confirmed the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office was involved, though State’s Attorney Ivan Bates missed the announcement due to a scheduling conflict.

The twin busts represent a major blow against drug trafficking and associated violence in Baltimore neighborhoods impacted by these criminal operations.