Baltimore police broke up a drug crew they say was responsible for at least one homicide and heroin sales of as much as $10,000 a day in West Baltimore, the mayor and police commissioner said Thursday.
"Because of this extensive investigation, we have nine perpetrators off the streets, all being held without bail," Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said. "This is truly a sign of us doing something right."
The two-month investigation into the alleged drug collective that police say operated at North Avenue and Carey Street resulted in 16 indictments. Fifteen were for distribution of heroin; one was a warrant for murder. Nine of the suspects indicted have been arrested, police said.
Among those arrested was Anthony Whitaker, an alleged member of the drug crew. Police say Whitaker shot William Jacobs, 29, on Oct. 10 in the 1500 block of Traction St. The Baltimore-area Warrant Apprehension Task Force arrested Whitaker on Thursday, police said.
Whitaker's charge was not listed Thursday in state court records, and it was not known whether he had a lawyer.
"For the past several years, I've focused on providing the safer streets that Baltimore deserved," Rawlings-Blake said. "This is necessary not only to attract new residents, but more importantly to give those families that are already here more reasons to stay in Baltimore."
The mayor lauded the efforts of police and Operation Ceasefire, a new initiative in West Baltimore that monitors repeat violent offenders and contributed information that police say helped detectives make their case.
Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts said homicides are down 54 percent this year in West Baltimore — historically one of the city's most violent areas — compared with the same time last year.
Police say 19 people have been killed in West Baltimore this year; 41 were killed there last year.
"Today's results are yet another example of Operation Ceasefire moving our city forward," Rawlings-Blake said.
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