Gov. Moore Announces Historic Drug Bust On The Eastern Shore, 42 Kilos Of Cocaine Seized

NOTE: The Office of the Governor shared the following press release:

ANNAPOLIS — Governor Wes Moore stood alongside Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis today to announce the successful culmination of a yearlong, multi-jurisdictional investigation that resulted in the dismantling of the Roberts Jr. Drug Trafficking Organization and one of the largest cocaine seizures ever made on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The operation, supported by the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network, led to the arrest of nine individuals and the seizure of more than 42 kilograms of cocaine, 11 firearms, and over $23,000.

“As governor, I have no higher priority than the safety of our people, and I have neither patience nor tolerance for violent criminals,” said Gov. Moore. “Alongside our local and federal partners, we have delivered one of the largest drug busts in state history—securing a safer future for the Eastern Shore and our entire state. This is what happens when we prioritize results, and this is why our administration is backing this success with the largest law enforcement investment in the history of the State of Maryland. We will continue giving our law enforcement personnel the tools they need to deliver the safety and security our people deserve.”

The investigation, which began in late 2024, utilized surveillance, undercover operations, search warrants and a Title III wiretap investigation to identify key members of the criminal network responsible for distributing narcotics across the Eastern Shore of Maryland, as well as in Baltimore, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware. In total, the operation resulted in the seizure of 42.61 kilograms of cocaine, 23.8 grams of crack cocaine, 4.41 kilograms of marijuana, 36 fentanyl pills, and 1.9 grams of heroin. In addition to the arrests and drug seizures, law enforcement recovered 11 firearms.

The operation was a collaborative effort between several law enforcement agencies, including: the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team, Maryland State Police, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Joint Community Action Team, Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington-Baltimore HIDTA, Accomack County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Impact Unit, Salisbury City Police Department, Delaware State Police Sussex Drug Unit, Ocean City Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, Eastern Shore Information Center, and Baltimore County Police Department.

“Today, we are announcing the largest cocaine seizure ever made on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,” said Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis. “This is a direct result of the hard-working men and women of law enforcement who work day and night in service to our communities. In partnership with our allied local agencies throughout the region, to include the Maryland State Police, the DEA and HSI, and with financial support through the Governor’s office of Crime Control and Prevention, we have achieved the largest cocaine seizure in Wicomico County history. This operation alone has removed millions of dollars’ worth of poison from our streets and dealt a significant blow to the criminal organizations bringing it into our communities. We will continue to work relentlessly with our federal and state partners to keep our communities safe. There are no jurisdictional boundaries when it comes to investigating organized crime.”

“This investigation, which began right here in Worcester County and expanded across the state and throughout the region, demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting our communities and holding those who traffic illegal drugs accountable,” said Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli. “This operation resulted in one of the largest drug seizures our office has ever been a part of, and that success is a direct reflection of the relentless dedication of our Criminal Enforcement Team and our law enforcement partners. I am extremely proud of the tireless work that went into this case. Together, we are sending a clear and unmistakable message—this type of criminal activity will not be tolerated in our communities.”

The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy coordinates the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network, which provides grant funding and strategic assistance to enhance inter-agency collaboration and data sharing to target criminal networks. The operation highlighted today was supported by a total of $67,434 in funds from the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network.

Under the Moore-Miller Administration, the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network Strategy has advanced 62 awards totaling nearly $20 million, and overseen more than $34 million in total assets seized. Since its inception, the network strategy has helped disrupt more than 3,900 criminal organizations; remove more than 4,800 illegal firearms from communities across Maryland; and seize nearly $80 million in drugs, cash, and other assets.

“Our Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network is a powerful tool used to track, investigate, and dismantle dangerous criminal organizations operating in the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy Executive Director Dorothy Lennig. “Criminals operate across borders—and our MCIN program allows our law enforcement partners to do the same.”

“Partnerships between the Maryland Department of State Police and all of our allied agencies are critical to the public safety services we provide throughout the state,” said Criminal Investigations Bureau Chief Lt. Col. Kenny L. Brown. “The cross-jurisdictional approach and criminal information sharing is undoubtedly making a positive impact on our communities.”

Public safety remains a top priority of the Moore-Miller Administration, with Governor Moore’s proposed FY 2027 budget including a record $124.1 million in funding to support law enforcement through programs like the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network. As Maryland continues to see historic drops in violent crime statewide, the Moore-Miller Administration remains focused on its public safety mission by providing the resources and support that law enforcement need; building stronger, more vibrant communities that leave no one behind; and coordinating across all aspects of government to make our state safer.