Maryland task force disrupts drug distribution network spanning 3 states

CENTREVILLE, Md. — A task force of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), disrupted a cocaine distribution network operating throughout the upper Eastern Shore and resulted in the arrests of two dozen suspects.

Police believe three suspects were involved in directing the operation including Adrian L. Reed, aka Slick, 37, of Chestertown. He was arrested May 12 and charged in 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.

Baraka Z. Chauka, aka Rock, 37, of Barclay was arrested May 19 and indicted on 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.

Carlos J. Cain, aka Cain, 40, of Centreville, was arrested May 8 and indicted 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 investigation began in Fall 2013 when the Queen Anne's County Drug Task Force, comprised of representatives from the Maryland State Police, the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office, and the Queen Anne's County State's Attorney's Office, the Centreville Police Department, the Maryland Natural Resources Police, with assistance from special agents from HSI Ocean City, began an intense investigation of a cocaine distribution ring operating in Queen Anne's County. During the investigation, the task force learned the three suspects imported large amounts of powder and crack cocaine from Delaware and Pennsylvania into Queen Anne's County.

Investigators believe the ring imported and distributed more than three pounds of cocaine within a two month period. They then used 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 indicted 14 people on felony charges, including the three listed above. In addition, police made six felony arrests and four misdemeanor arrests. Investigators recovered more than $14,000 in drug-related money and eight vehicles believed to be involved in, or derived from, the drug operation. Police recovered various amounts of marijuana, powdered and crack cocaine, and heroin.