Hanover Man Had Enough Fentanyl To Kill 5 Million People

HANOVER, MD — A federal jury has convicted a Hanover man for operating a regional drug operation that raked in millions of dollars. Paul Alexander, 47, of Hanover, was found guilty of trafficking the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl. Federal prosecutors said that the 10 kilograms Alexander had in his possession were enough to kill 5 million people.

“Paul Alexander was a wholesaler who was responsible for bringing large quantities of fentanyl into the Baltimore region,” said Jonathan Lenzner, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

Alexander, who also used the aliases David Paul Hayes and Shorty, distributed the drug from April 2018 to January 2019, a U.S. Attorney’s Office news release said.

“The defendant was found to be in possession of about $4 million in cash, which represents drug proceeds,” Lenzner said.

During a search conducted Jan. 2, law enforcement reported that they recovered a loaded pistol with an extended magazine containing 24 rounds of ammunition and bags filled with more than $4 million in cash, jewelry and narcotics distribution paraphernalia.

After a five-day trial, Alexander was convicted on five charges including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Alexander faces multiple life sentences for the drug-related convictions and 10 years for possession of a firearm by a felon. He is scheduled for sentencing in January 2020.