Ellen
B. Knowlton, Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division of the FBI
Washington Field Office and Allan Doody, Special Agent in Charge of
the U.S. Customs
Service Baltimore office today presented checks totaling more than
$1.4 million to five local agencies for their efforts in fighting drug
trafficking in Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
SAC's Knowlton and Doody jointly noted that the partnership between federal
and local law enforcement agencies in combating illegal drug trade can
often produce results that far out-weigh those of agencies working alone.
"Today we believe that these checks will aid in the fight against illegal
drugs that plague our community. They can pay officers' salaries, buy
equipment and fund drug demand-reduction programs," she told a presentation
ceremony in Washington. "It's a pleasure to be able to return the profits
from the illegal drug trade to the same departments that arrested the
dealers in the first place," she added.
"By combining our resources, we were able to take down an elaborate multi-million
dollar drug and money laundering ring operating right here in our back
yard," SAC Doody observed at the presentation. "This case is a great example
of what federal agencies can do when they team up with state and local
law enforcement."
The checks represent money forfeited by drug dealers as a result of investigations
conducted jointly by the FBI, U.S. Customs and the five local and state
agencies.
The $1.4 million is being distributed as follows:
- $484,644.49 — District of Columbia Metropolitan Police
- $461,837.36 — Prince
Georges County, MD, Police
- $440,121.87 — Montgomery
County, MD, Police
- $42,730.26 — Baltimore
County, MD, Police
- $19,939.28 — Maryland
National Guard
Accepting the checks for their departments are:
- Chief Charles Ramsey , District
of Columbia
- Lt. Colonel Orlando Barnes, Prince Georges County
- Assistant Chief Donald Mates, Montgomery County
- Colonel M. Kim Ward, Baltimore County Police
- Colonel Robert Finn, Maryland National Guard
Much of the money distributed today came from an investigation begun in
1998 of a large-scale cocaine distribution ring in Washington, D.C., and
Prince George's County, Md., led by Michael Anthony "Miano" Johnson.
The FBI's investigation of Johnson was already underway when an U.S. Customs
and Montgomery County Police money laundering investigation called "Operation
Green Ice" also identified Johnson as a major drug dealer. At this point
the FBI and U.S. Customs joined forces. During the investigation a search
warrant was obtained for a storage locker in Bladensburg, Md., used by
Johnson's group and there agents recovered nearly $1.6 million in cash,
$100,000 in jewelry, two handguns, and drug paraphernalia from the locker.
In addition to the Johnson investigation, investigation by the FBI and
MPD "Safe Streets" task force resulted in drug profits being seized in
the following D.C. gang cases: the "Southwest Crew" from the Waterside
Mall area; the "Congress Park Crew" near St. Elizabeth's Hospital; the
Kevin Gray organization, and the North Capitol Corridor investigation,
which takes in the Sursum Corda neighborhood. This money is also included
in the check presented to MPD today.
For more information, contact Public Affairs Specialist Kevin Bell, U.S.
Customs, at 202-927-1422 or Special Agent Peter (Chris) Murray, FBI, at
202-278-3519.