Police identified on Monday the 10 people arrested last week during a drug investigation that led to the discovery of more than $15,000 in counterfeit money.
Among those charged was 23-year-old Shakia Watkins, who is on federal probation stemming from her involvement in a gang's firebombing of Harwood community activist Edna McAbier's home in 2005.
Watkins, who made fraudulent calls to 911 to steer police from McAbier's neighborhood, was sentenced to a four-year prison term followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit witness tampering.
Officers raided Watkins' home Thursday after following a vehicle that fled the scene of a suspected drug transaction, according to police and court records.
Police were monitoring the vehicle in the 600 block of McCulloh St., and when they moved in to make a traffic stop, the vehicle fled. Police followed it to the 2300 block of Avalon Ave., where the occupants ran into a home.
Police said they obtained a search and seizure warrant after "observing drugs in plain view," and inside they found $22,245 in cash, $15,580 of which was counterfeit, as well as a half-ounce of raw heroin.
Ten people, ranging from 17 to 34 years old, have been charged with various counts of drug possession and possessing forged currency.
The U.S. Secret Service in Baltimore, which investigates counterfeit money cases, has assigned an agent to the case and federal charges could be forthcoming. Records show Watkins was released on $150,000 bond.
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