17 Dealers Arrested In County Undercover Operation

SNOW HILL — A recently completed four-month, multi-agency undercover narcotics investigation in the south end of Worcester County resulted in criminal charges against 17 known drug dealers and the seizure of numerous controlled dangerous substances and weapons.

Late last month, the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, a highly specialized, multi-agency drug unit, concluded a four-month undercover operation in and around Pocomoke and the south end of Worcester after receiving citizen-driven complaints and calls for action from local leaders concerning the increased prevalence of dangerous drugs including heroin and cocaine in their communities.

During the operation, undercover members of the CET posed as drug users while investigating the criminal syndicates that were responsible for the distribution of the community’s most insidious narcotics. Undercover officers engaged in 73 drug transactions that were recorded using video and audio surveillance equipment. In cooperation with the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office, the 73 transactions led to felony criminal charges against the 17 known dealers.

In addition, search warrants were authored and executed by the Worcester County STAR team, the Berlin Police SWAT team and the Maryland State Police Gang Enforcement Unit, resulting in the seizure of additional CDS as well as a loaded .38 caliber handgun from an individual prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm.

“I commend the Criminal Enforcement Team for their expertise and outstanding efforts in cleaning up the streets of Pocomoke,” said Mayor Bruce Morrison.

State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby commended the undercover CET officers for their dedication during the undercover operation.

“The selfless devotion that the undercover officers gave in this investigation was nothing short of heroic,” he said. “They put their families and personal lives on hold to become part of an underground criminal community that glorified violence and values nothing above their own greed. The city of Pocomoke is safer because of the effort of the Criminal Enforcement Team.”

Worcester County Sheriff Reggie Mason also praised the multi-agency detectives for their work on the extensive investigation and subsequent raids.

“Today, the men and women of the Criminal Enforcement Team lived up to their motto ‘Detect, Disrupt and Destroy’,” he said. “They, along with the other allied law enforcement agencies that participated in this operation deserve the community’s deepest gratitude.”

Also participating in the operation was the Ocean City Police Department Narcotics Unit, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, Maryland State Police Apprehension Team, Dorchester County Narcotics Task Force, Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, Maryland State Police Gun Unit and Homeland Security Investigations.

Among those arrested include Honnis Cane III, Darius Cox, Gerri Fitch, Marion Fletcher, Keith Gray, Terrance Justice, Maurice Reed, Terry Waters, Tavon Watson and Carl Williams.

Several of those charged remain at large and anyone with information regarding their location is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 410-632-1111. Those still wanted on warrants include Jerron Corbin, Martel Coston, Starr Everett, Kaniesha Johnson, Chico Kenney, Broadus Mason, and Laquan Townsend.