Federal law enforcement officials executed about 20 search warrants in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Los Angeles as part of a year-long investigation into an alleged drug trafficking group accused of selling PCP and fentanyl near Knox Place SE in Washington, D.C. The operation was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Authorities seized 18 firearms, including an AR-style rifle, a shotgun, and a Draco-style pistol. They also confiscated a pill press believed to be used for making fentanyl pills, at least two kilograms of suspected narcotics, and more than $50,000 in cash.
Last week, eight people were indicted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Those charged include two individuals from California, one from Baltimore, and five from the metropolitan Washington area.
Seven defendants were taken into custody this morning by the FBI with support from the DEA and Metropolitan Police Department. The arrested individuals are Leonard Edwards of Washington D.C.; Eric “Marbury” Prather of Washington D.C.; Thomas Wilton Hancock Jr., also known as “Fresh,” of Baltimore; Sarda Smith of Oxen Hill, Maryland; Michael Thomas of Los Angeles; Reginald Lassiter of Washington D.C.; and Darryl Riley of Washington D.C.
FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Phil Bates joined DEA Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department in announcing the arrests.
One person named in the indictment has not been apprehended and is considered a fugitive. The indictment for that individual remains sealed.
The Knox Place neighborhood has experienced several violent crimes over the past year, including at least five homicides. Investigators say those charged sourced drugs through a Baltimore-based co-conspirator who imported narcotics from California. Earlier this year, authorities intercepted a shipment containing 17 gallons of PCP outside Topeka, Kansas.
Six defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years based on drug quantities cited in their charges; two face mandatory minimums of fifteen years.
In addition to those indicted for conspiracy to distribute narcotics, federal agents arrested five other people on various charges including felon in possession of firearms, possession of a firearm during drug trafficking crimes, and illegal re-entry into the country.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office with assistance from both DEA and MPD. Prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sitara Witanachchi, Matthew W. Kinskey, and John Parron from the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Section at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
“Law enforcement seized 18 firearms including one AR-Style rifle, a shotgun, and one Draco-style pistol. Agents also seized a pill press commonly used to manufacture fentanyl pills, at least two kilograms of suspected narcotics, and over $50,000 in cash.”
“This morning, the FBI in partnership with the DEA and the Metropolitan Police Department took seven of the indicted defendants into custody.”
“The Knox Place neighborhood has experienced at least five homicides in the past year among other violent crimes.”
“This case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office with valuable assistance from the DEA and MPD.”
