33 charged with drug, violence offenses in massive Baltimore gang takedown

Maryland Attorney General Athony Brown announced Tuesday that their investigation into several Baltimore neighborhoods led to criminal charges related to gang activity being brought against 33 individuals ranging in age from 21 to 54.

According to WBAL, along with multiple drug charges two members of the organization were also brought up on attempted murder and gun charges stemming from an incident where they attempted to kill another gang member over an internal dispute. 

According to CBS, the drug charges involved the gang running distribution ring of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl. 

The gang operated mostly around west, south, and southwest Baltimore. 12 of the 33 arrested had prior violent offenses on their record and 30 had some history of arrest.
 

In his announcement, Brown stated that this is the result of a 16-month-long investigation. He said to the citizens of the city "we're committed to ensuring that Baltimore is a safe place for all and that we are committed (to) taking charge of our neighborhoods." 

During the investigation authorities seized nine guns, ammunition, and large quantities of drugs. There are members of the organization that are still considered "at large," and they are asking the public to contact Baltimore police or Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP. 

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. "We are implementing the group violence reduction strategy in the way that it should be. We want you to change your life. We want you to stay alive. We don't want you to go to jail, but if you choose to do this that's what's going to happen to you."

Baltimore has been a hotbed for drugs and crime in recent years. In August last year drug dealers attempted to extort the producers of an Apple TV+ show that was filming there. The Baltimore Sun reported that chaos is running rampant because of drug cartels. Pointing out that there were over 230 homicides in the city from from January to August of last year. 

On top of that, it was reported last year that 77 percent of students at one Baltimore High School are only reading at an elementary school level. They are graduating students with no skill sets to sustain themselves in the real world. Leaving them vulnerable to fall into a life of crime.