Maryland bust nets $1M in drugs, 9 indictments, 34 guns

EASTON, Md. — Nine people have been indicted in connection with a drug bust conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies in Maryland, authorities announced this week.

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In a Tuesday news release, Maryland State Police said the Caroline County Drug Task Force probe focused on “a drug-trafficking organization believed to be distributing large amounts of cocaine, opioids, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamines” along the Eastern Shore.

After executing 11 search warrants in Preston, Hurlock, Federalsburg, Lanham and Crofton, authorities seized more than $1 million in drugs, including 18 kilograms of cocaine and 170 pounds of marijuana, the release said. Investigators said the searches also uncovered 2.7 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl, 5.9 kilograms of crystal meth and 34 firearms.

According to WJZ-TV, authorities believe Justin Aaron Spain, 41, of Lanham, was the main supplier. He is facing two counts of being a drug kingpin, as well as several drug possession and distribution charges, the news release said. Others indicted include Michael Anthony Holland, 36, of Hurlock; Gregory Lovern Williams Jr., 39, of Federalsburg; Margerette Derosiers, 28, of Federalsburg; Andre Luther Woolford, 33, of Hurlock; Joseph Archie Spain III, 44, of Preston; Michelle Lynn Spain, 48, of Preston; James Eugene Simms, 36, of Great Mills; and George Alfred Butler, 56, of Federalsburg, according to the release.

All nine suspects are being held without bond, the news release said.

The task force includes officers and contributions from several law enforcement agencies, including the Caroline County Sheriff’s Department, Maryland State Police, Maryland Natural Resources Police, the Caroline County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Denton Police Department, according to the release.

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