Authorities Intercept Millions of Dollars in Cocaine; Operation Noted as Largest Bust in Anne Arundel County History

Authorities today announced the seizure of cocaine worth millions of dollars during the largest drug bust operation in Anne Arundel County history. 

In a statement, the Maryland State Attorney General's Office said 10 people have been charged following a long-term investigation into multiple individual drug traffickers who were operating in and around Severn and Glen Burnie. The defendants are charged with as many as 22 counts, to include: multiple conspiracies; possession with intent to distribute numerous drugs, including cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine; and related firearms charges, according to the statement.

 

"The investigation, led by the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit, culminated in the seizure of the largest cocaine recovery from an investigation in Anne Arundel County Police history, almost two dozen firearms, and controlled dangerous substances that would have been distributed in and around Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, and elsewhere throughout Maryland."

The statement continued:

The investigation began following the identification of multiple drug traffickers in Anne Arundel County. As the investigation unfolded, detectives observed dozens of hand-to-hand drug transactions and intercepted communications over a wiretap that confirmed the distribution of large amounts of controlled dangerous substances. Throughout the investigation, detectives executed search and seizure warrants at the residences of defendants Drameek Wallace, Kirk Nowlin, Raymond Eggleston, Charles Thomas, Maurice Dorsey, Donna Carpenter, and Darryl Henson, resulting in the recovery of a variety of controlled dangerous substances, to include large amounts of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and firearms.  

Detectives then focused their efforts on the supply source for these drugs dealers. The investigation revealed that defendants Maurice Dorsey and Darryl Henson had both been supplied with cocaine by defendant Clayton Mooring, which helped identify Mooring as a kingpin cocaine distributor in Anne Arundel County. 

After Mooring was identified as a supplier of cocaine for numerous drug traffickers, the investigation focused on his activities, with the goal of identifying how he was able to obtain such large quantities of these controlled dangerous substances.

Detectives learned that Mooring was coordinating the importation of large amounts of cocaine from the area of Houston, Texas by having the cocaine stashed in vehicles that were shipped on car carriers across state lines. On April 7, 2023, the Anne Arundel County Police Department intercepted a vehicle, containing approximately 17 kilograms of cocaine, as it was being transported from Texas to Mooring’s business in Glen Burnie. The packages of cocaine were sewn into the seat cushions. A search at the business led to the seizure of an additional 1.8 kilograms of cocaine. The total street value of the cocaine, if uncut, is just under $2,000,000.

Ultimately, law enforcement seized more than 18 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams of heroin, 360 grams of fentanyl, and 67 pounds of cannabis amongst all defendants. Additionally, detectives recovered substances that tested positive for the presence of controlled substances, including fentanyl analogs, methamphetamine, and designer drugs similar to MDMA. Detectives seized 21 firearms as part of their investigation, including two stolen handguns and a privately made firearm or “ghost gun.”

***Any suspects/arrested/charged individuals and persons of interest named in the articles are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.***