After a months-long investigation by numerous police agencies into two “cocaine trafficking organizations,” a Baltimore man and a Westminster woman were arrested in Westminster on Sunday and more arrests are expected in the “near future,” police say.
The Maryland State Police Carroll County Narcotics Task Force executed multiple arrest and search warrants in the Westminster area this past weekend, according to a Monday, Oct. 21 news release from Maryland State Police.
Maurice R. Garrison, 26, was arrested on a warrant stemming from an indictment for distributing cocaine, according to the release. Police seized $1,273 cash from Garrison when he was arrested, the release reads. According to the indictment, Garrison faces three counts of distributing narcotics and two counts of conspiracy to do the same.
Amanda M. Knight, 27, was arrested on a warrant stemming from an indictment for distributing cocaine, the release states. According to the indictment, Knight has been charged with one count of distributing narcotics and one count of conspiracy to do the same.
While the release states that Garrison and Knight were arrested in Westminster on Sunday, it did provide any details of the arrests. They were being held without bond at Carroll County Detention Center as of 3:30 p.m. Monday, according to a deputy at the detention center.
According to the indictments, Garrison and Knight distributed cocaine to undercover law enforcement agents in Westminster.
Garrison, also known as “Tootie Ro” and “YB,” distributed cocaine to undercover agents with Maryland State Police on or about July 18 in the area of South Street and South Church Street; on July 22 in the area of George Street and Spring Alley; and Aug. 14 in the area of Grosvenor Lane and Church Street, the indictment reads.
Knight distributed cocaine to an undercover cop on or about July 22 in the area of George Street and Spring Alley and conspired with Garrison to do so, according to the indictment.
The maximum penalty for distributing narcotics is 20 years incarceration and/or fines up to $15,000, and the penalty for conspiring to distribute is the same, according to the indictments.
During the investigation, police executed two search and seizure warrants at Bishop’s Garth Apartments in Westminster and also arrested a man for allegedly possessing heroin and drug paraphernalia, the release reads.
State police are continuing the investigation.
This investigation was a coordinated effort by the Maryland State Police Carroll County Drug Task Force with assistance from the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office, Maryland State Police Special Tactical Assault Team Element, MSP Gang Enforcement Unit, Westminster Barrack Uniformed Patrol, and Maryland State Apprehension Team, under the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN), the release states. MCIN is the governor’s “criminal justice strategy, coordinated at the local, state, and federal levels targeting criminal networks,” according to the release.
The narcotics task force includes Maryland State Police, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, the Westminster Police Department, the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations, the release states.
There was no attorney information was listed online for Garrison or Knight. Both have hearings scheduled for Nov. 8. Garrison and Knight were still being held without bond as of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
