Dismantling of Drug Trafficking Operation Recognized by Chief of Police

ORIGINAL February 2, 2024

Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough recently recognized two special agents and one task force officer from Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore with the Department’s highest commendation for their work with the Criminal Intelligence, Homeland Security Section Gang Enforcement Team. HSI Baltimore Special Agents M. Lynn and M. Gonzalez and Task Force Officer T. Seabolt were presented with the Baltimore County Police Department’s Police Chief’s Award for their investigation into, and dismantling of, a drug trafficking organization operating in Maryland, North Caroline, and New York.

The team combined technology and electronic surveillance (i.e. covert cameras, covert vehicle tracking devices and cellular phone tracking technology) with traditional investigative work to develop probable cause using financial record analysis, telephone record analysis, undercover physical surveillance, corroborated informant information, corroborated confidential source information, interdiction stops in Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Cecil County, arrests of street-level dealers, utilization of undercover operatives to conduct hand-to-hand drug transactions with targets at the dope shops, and trash collections for evidence.

As a result of this operation, the CIHSS Gang Enforcement Team seized approximately five kilograms of fentanyl; approximately $150,000.00 in drug proceeds; 16 illegally possessed firearms, some of which were stolen or had obliterated serial numbers; manufacturing and distribution drug paraphernalia; bulk cutting agents for controlled dangerous substances; and body armor. Due to the success of the investigation, the team is pitching the entire case to the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecution.