Fugitive Arrested in Multi-Million-Dollar Heroin Ring: Police

The final reputed drug dealer has been arrested out of 13 suspected traffickers indicted in a multi-million-dollar drug ring that brought heroin to Anne Arundel County streets, police announced Tuesday.

An eight-month effort by local and federal police and prosecutors targeted drug dealers with the goal of crippling their distribution centers, authorities said last month. Nearly $1 million in assets was seized in the raid, including 12 firearms and three vehicles.

Andres Fernandez, 40, of 404 Alameda Parkway in Arnold, the last outstanding suspect, was arrested in New York Monday. Anne Arundel County Police detectives gave possible locations where Fernandez may be hiding to a fugitive task force run by the U.S. Marshal’s Service in New York and New Jersey. Those officers found Fernandez, who is in custody in New York awaiting extradition to Anne Arundel County.

SEE ALSO: ‘I Really Like Getting High’: Anne Arundel Heroin User

A three-count indictment unsealed in October in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court charged eight suspects with conspiracy to distribute heroin, among other drug-related offenses.

Fernandez is charged with conspiracy to sell and possess heroin.

On Oct. 14, seven search and seizure warrants were executed at various locations in Glen Burnie, Millersville and Arnold. Items seized included:

• 3 kilograms of heroin with an estimated street value of $360,000
• 1.5 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $150,000
• 394 capsules of heroin with an estimated street value of $3,940
• 12 firearms, six of which were reported stolen; and a large amount of ammunition
• About $90,000 cash, presumed drug proceeds
• About $100,000 in jewelry, presumed drug proceeds
• Three vehicles, worth about $200,000, presumed drug proceeds
• Paraphernalia used to distribute drugs, including scales, baggies, and bags of unused gelatin capsules

Other suspects indicted on various drug charges are:

• Jessica Blackburn, 28, 514 Crain Hwy. North Suite K, Glen Burnie
• Louis Valentine, 33, no fixed address
• John Thornton III, 41, 1408 Crain Hwy. South Apt. 2, Glen Burnie
• Bernard Mooney, 54, 1408 Crain Hwy. South Apt. 2, Glen Burnie
• Troy William Branch, 21, 6395 Smithy Square Apt. B, Glen Burnie
• Billy Jo Musgrove, 25, 201 Longwood Ave., Glen Burnie
• Brandon Rutter, 28, 615 Lorca Ave., Brooklyn
• Janelle Frances Jones, 24, 963 W. Benning Road, Galesville
• Beth Ann Royston, 31, 109 Saint James Drive, Glen Burnie
• Gerald Mark Snyder, 30, 1317 Race St., Cambridge
• Nicole Marie Snyder, 28, 1317 Race St., Cambridge
• Amber Jean Garland, 25, 201 Longwood Ave., Glen Burnie

»Photo of Andres Fernandez, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police