City police bust mid-level drug operation

Police called the arrests a significant hit on "a sophisticated operation."

"This is a good bust for us," said Ray Weaver, city police spokesman. "It's a significant-sized bust for the department ... a good day's work."

The department's Annapolis Special Emergency Team served a no-knock search warrant at 6:45 a.m. at the Annapolis Neck Peninsula apartment following its response to a domestic-disturbance call around 11:20 p.m. Monday.

In that incident, a woman called police and said a man pulled a gun on her in an apartment in the 1100 block of Lake Heron Drive off Edgewood Road. Officers responding to that call said the man who allegedly pulled the gun, Marlon Patrick Green, was known to detectives from reports on the street.

Police said his name had been coming up over the past three months in relation to possible drug sales. A warrant was then obtained and the search performed hours later.

Green, 21, was arrested on numerous drug counts, handgun violations and first- and second-degree assault stemming from the domestic call.

Police arrested three other city residents found in the apartment: Jerrell Maclin, 27, of 14 Silverwood Court; Kevan Simms, 26, of 7 Dominoe Road; and Erika Ford, 20, of 918 Chesapeake Ave.

All were charged with two counts of possession of a narcotic with intent to distribute large amounts, two countsof possession of a narcotic with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, simple marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a handgun in relation to drug trafficking.

The four were transported to the Jennifer Road Detention Center in Parole after bail was set. Maclin, who had previous drug and gun charges, is being held with no bail. Green's bail is set at $600,000. Simms is being held on $400,000 bail and Ford's bail is $55,000.

On a table at police headquarters yesterday morning, police displayed the stash of drugs confiscated in the raid.

Several bags of suspected crack cocaine, more than two pounds worth packaged to be distributed to street-level dealers, were found. Also found was one large plastic bag of marijuana and two progressively smaller bags, totaling over 1.3 pounds, and two bags containing about 2.5 ounces of heroin.

Police also displayed a Smith and Wesson .38-caliber revolver, digital scales and about $7,000 in cash, mostly smaller bills.

"All those 20s, that is sign of street-level activity," said Detective Floyd Carson, whose knowledge of the suspect was instrumental in obtaining the warrant.

The third-floor apartment raided by the police team was not furnished.

"It is evident this was a stash house," Capt. Scott Williams said. "The two-bedroom apartment had no beds, only a couch, a table and a couple of chairs. No TV, no food in the refrigerator either."

The apartment was leased in Green's mother's name.

It is in a well-manicured and well-maintained complex of four-story apartment buildings. A two-bedroom apartment rents for about $1,400 a month.

"It is not an area known for open-air drug dealing," Williams said. "Usually, these stash houses are set up away from drug trafficking areas ... on purpose."

ASET members, along with detectives, stormed through the door bright and early while the four occupants were asleep.

Two of the suspects tried to get to the balcony door but were stopped. The drugs were found in a cardboard tequila box, detectives said.

"The captain said we need to bring in a little more next time," Carson said, standing looking over the take laid out on the table. "But this will do. After paperwork heaven, we'll be out starting to look for somebody else."

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pfurgurson@ capitalgazette.com

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yes, drugs are everywhere - 2009-05-16 23:59:00

first off... good job APD. Uphold the law... now then... drugs are everywhere because prohibition just doesn't work. So why don't we really change things up and legalize this stuff? The law needs to change, these thugs are a direct result of the prohibition on drugs, just like Capone was a direct result of the prohibition on alcohol. Among adults, I really don't care if someone wants to get stoned all day at home... not my problem until they get out on the road... and driving while impaired will always be criminal. It's time for a new strategy.

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B Kibbey - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

Yes, John - 2009-05-13 16:37:03

Agreed. Usually you have to go into the drug neighborhoods -- or get delivery service. Steet level folks usually never setup shop in places like that. Unless you're own a show called Weeds and own a sandwich shop or a grow house.

Weeds (Showtime) is a GREAT example of what really does go on in many "upscale" neighborhoods.

Drug activity is everywhere. You just have to be able to spot it. That's why the police are so good at making busts -- they know all of the signs.

Jesse B. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

Good Job - 2009-05-13 14:27:28

There is lots of drug activity in most upscale communities here. Just not the street level thugs!
Good job APD

John F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

Every neighborhood - 2009-05-13 13:39:37

There is drug activity in every neighborhood.

Drug addiction strikes people of every type. I cannot even begin to count the number of executives I have met over the years that do a few bumps of coke to get through their long and grueling days.

The number of people that end their day with a joint in the hot tub is even higher. I've met doctors, lawyers, teachers and even a judge who do things like this.

Then you have all of the people hooked on pills.

You rarely hear about the customers of drug dealers. SOMEBODY is buying those drugs and they include your neighbors. Maybe even you.

good neighborhood ? no - 2009-05-13 12:10:06

"It is in a well-manicured and well-maintained complex of four-story apartment buildings. A two-bedroom apartment rents for about $1,400 a month."

yet still there was drug activity wasn't there ? Who knows really how much drug related activity goes on in those alleged 'nice' neighborhoods. Is a neighborhood to be judged by the appearance and cost, or the drug dealing that goes on ?

reggie schmoenberg - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral

Recover $110,000 in drugs, $7,000 in cash from apartment

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