22 Opiate Dealers Indicted In Annapolis Raid: Police

Note: Annapolis Police issued a correction on the indictments. The name Marique Jackson was included in the original release, but he was not involved in the illegal drug purchases, police said.

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Annapolis Police have indicted 22 people for alleged opiate dealing in a crackdown that spanned six months of undercover drug purchases. Authorities said Friday that the city has seen nearly 100 overdoses so far in 2017, 11 of which were fatal.

"These indictments are one part of our effort to combat opiate addiction in the City of Annapolis,” said Annapolis Police Chief Scott Baker in a statement. "While enforcement of criminal laws is important, we are also proud to be a partner in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County’s outreach to those addicted to illegal drugs. The dealers indicted are not selling to fund their own addictions, rather using others weaknesses to their own profit.”

Ten fatal overdoses due to opiates were logged in 2016 and 11 to date this year, police said in a news release. There have also been 87 non-fatal opiate overdoses reported in 2017 in Annapolis. Officers with the Annapolis Police Department have carried nasally administered naloxone since June 2014 to reverse overdoses, and have administered the drug eight times this year.

During the investigation, the Annapolis Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit made 54 controlled buys in the city and surrounding areas. Multiple purchases were made from most of those indicted, which authorities say will disrupt illegal drug trafficking groups in Annapolis.

SEE ALSO: Fentanyl Boosts Number Of Overdose Deaths In Maryland: Opioid Crisis

Those indicted and arrested are identified as:

• 16-year-old male from Annapolis, arrested Oct. 19
• Sean Cormier, 26 of Pasadena, arrested Oct. 19
• Demario Jackson, 22, of Annapolis, arrested Oct. 20
• Mario Kaskins, 35, of Annapolis, arrested Oct. 18
• Donte Mitchell, 38, of Baltimore, arrested Oct. 19
• Albert Parker, 39, of Halethorpe, arrested Oct. 18
• Terrell Ridgley, 27, of Annapolis, arrested Oct. 18
• Ricky Stewart Jr., 33, of Annapolis, arrested Oct. 19
• Ronald Young, 39, of Annapolis, arrested Oct. 25

Those who have been indicted but are still wanted by police are:

• Aatif Jackson, 24, of Annapolis
• Abraham Jackson, 23, of Annapolis
• Charles Hammond III, 36, of Annapolis
• John Larkins, 52, of Annapolis
• Kwazia Mitchell, 24, of Annapolis/Glen Burnie
• Dominique Pratt, 24, of Annapolis
• Lamont Smith, 26, of Annapolis

A 17-year-old Annapolis boy in Department of Juvenile Services custody has also been indicted.

Five more suspects are wanted by police and their names will be released in the coming days, officials said. Investigators have also obtained seizure orders for ten vehicles that were reportedly used to deliver narcotics to undercover officers.

Taking away the accessibility to the drugs by getting the dealers off the streets is a positive step in the fight against opioid and substance abuse in Annapolis, Mayor Michael Pantelides said. "I applaud the commitment of our police department in their ongoing efforts fighting crime and the drug trade which resulted in these indictments.

“We need to show drug dealers that law enforcement will not stand idly by as they value their own personal profit over the wellbeing of our citizens,” said State’s Attorney Wes Adams. “We will continue to work day and night to bring them to justice as part of our strategy to end this epidemic.”

The Annapolis Police Department asks residents to report drug activity when they see it by calling 410-268-4141. Anonymous tips can be called into 410-280-CLUE (2583). In an emergency dial 9-1-1. Those seeking help to overcome their addiction to opioids can walk into any police or fire station in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County using the Safe Stations Program.

Patch file photo