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Law enforcement operation takes down drug ring in West Baltimore

(l-r) Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison

A dozen people are facing charges in connection with a drug ring that ran across the tri-district area in Southwest Baltimore. At a news conference Thursday, Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said the investigation targeted a drug running operation that delivered fentanyl and other drugs to the Boyd-Booth neighborhood of the city. 

Nine of the members of the "Prime Time" drug organization have been arrested and police are still searching for three others. They are identified as Elijah Hooks, Travis Jones, and Howard Gwaltney.  Alleged gang leader David Funderburk,41, of West Baltimore is among those in custody.  Police say they seized 450 grams of fentanyl, 85 grams of crack, a handgun, cash and about 30-thousand-dollars in personal assets.

City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby says takedowns like this will go a long way to reduce violence in the city.

Meanwhile,  a Baltimore fentanyl distributor is convicted on federal conspiracy, drug and firearm charges.  Following an eleven-month investigation, authorities seized over four million-dollars in cash and more than ten kilos of fentanyl from the car and apartments of 47-year-old Paul Alexander.  The feds say that was enough fentanyl to kill five-million people.  The government is seeking the forfeit of the cash along with luxury vehicles, Rolex watches, Cartier bracelets with diamonds and designer bags. Alexander faces life in prison when he's sentenced in January.