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8 people indicted in fentanyl, cocaine conspiracy, DOJ says

The indictment claims there were "overlapping conspiracies" to possess and distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine.

WASHINGTON — Eight men were indicted Wednesday in what the Department of Justice calls an "interstate fentanyl and cocaine conspiracy." The men are accused of distributing multi-kilogram quantities of drugs in the DMV region. 

The indictment claims there were "overlapping conspiracies" to possess and distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine. 

Chemists for the Drug Enforcement Administration determined that a portion of the fentanyl powder contained carfentanil, an animal tranquilizer 100 times more potent than fentanyl.

According to the indictment, the fentanyl distribution conspiracy and the cocaine distribution conspiracy ran from at least July 2021 and August 2022, respectively, until November 2023.

“This group of defendants was allegedly supplying deadly fentanyl and carfentanil - a fentanyl analogue that is 100 times more potent than regular fentanyl - across multiple states in kilogram quantities,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves said. “As I have said before, anyone selling this poison on our streets or funneling these drugs to our community will find themselves on the wrong end of a criminal investigation. With the dedicated legion of law enforcement partners, we will pursue those people regardless of where - in the United States or the world - they may be.”


Suspects Charged

Samuel Braxton, 55, of FCI Fort Dix, New Jersey (formerly D.C. Metro)

  • Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Four Hundred Grams or More of Fentanyl and One Hundred Grams or More of Heroin

Ronnie Rogers, 68, of Washington, D.C.

  • Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Four Hundred Grams or More of Fentanyl and One Hundred Grams or More of Heroin
  • Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Five Hundred Grams or More of Cocaine, and a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base
  • Unlawful Distribution of Forty Grams or More of Fentanyl (two charges);
  • Attempted Unlawful Possession with Intent to Distribute Four Hundred Grams or More of Fentanyl (four charges)
  • Unlawful Possession with Intent to Distribute Four Hundred Grams or More of Fentanyl
  • Attempted Unlawful Possession with Intent to Distribute One Hundred Grams or More of Heroin;

Wayne Glymph, 57, of Port Tobacco, Maryland

  • Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Four Hundred Grams or More of Fentanyl and One Hundred Grams or More of Heroin

Ricky Jackson, 65, of Washington, D.C.

  • Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Four Hundred Grams or More of Fentanyl and One Hundred Grams or More of Heroin

Kevin Quattlebaum, 57, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland

  • Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Five Hundred Grams or More of Cocaine, and a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base

Michael Owens, 36, of St. Charles, Maryland

  • Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Four Hundred Grams or More of Fentanyl and One Hundred Grams or More of Heroin
  • Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Five Hundred Grams or More of Cocaine, and a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base

Michael Stewart, 59, of Washington, D.C.

  • Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Four Hundred Grams or More of Fentanyl and One Hundred Grams or More of Heroin
  • Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Five Hundred Grams or More of Cocaine, and a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base
  • Unlawful Distribution of a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl (five charges)
  • Unlawful Possession with Intent to Distribute Forty Grams or More of Fentanyl
  • Unlawful Distribution of Forty Grams or More of Fentanyl (three charges)

The Justice Department said law enforcement seized more than 8 kilograms of high potency fentanyl, some of which was at least 65% pure; more than 6,000 fake pills containing fentanyl produced to resemble OxyContin; and more than 6 kilograms of cocaine. 

Eight guns were also seized, at least one of which had armor-piercing capabilities nicknamed “the cop killer,” and more than $70,000 in cash and money orders, including money intercepted that was intended for the purchase of kilogram quantities of fentanyl, the DOJ said.

WATCH NEXT: 7 out of 10 pills seized by DEA contain deadly amount of fentanyl

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