Hagerstown Center Of Alleged Drug Conspiracy, Prosecutors Say

HAGERSTOWN (WJZ) — Seventeen Hagerstown residents and 1 Frederick nonmigratory were among 34 arrested Wednesday greeting connected indictments successful a cause trafficking conspiracy. A Hagerstown appliance store was allegedly utilized arsenic a hub for the amerciable activities.

The indictments were returned July 20, said Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard of the bluish territory of West Virginia.

READ MORE: Biden Will Announce Vaccination Requirement Across Federal Government On Thursday

The 30-count indictment charges the residents of Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Dominican Republic with trafficking ample amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine basal and cocaine hydrochloride from Hagerstown to locations successful Berkeley County, West Virginia, from August 2020 to June 2021. Investigators person seized 8.6 kilograms of cocaine, 1.02 kilograms of heroin and 12 ounces of cocaine base. The seized drugs person a thoroughfare worth of astir $471,000, according to prosecutors.

“The cause endeavor tally by the defendants progressive a blase cognition including the usage of a purported concern to enactment arsenic a beforehand for cause trafficking and the laundering of hundreds of thousands of dollars successful cause proceeds,” Bernard said successful a statement. “The information that a bully information of the probe occurred during the pandemic makes the results adjacent much impressive.”

READ MORE: DC Officials Announce Arrest In Death Of Of 6-Year-Old Nyiah Courtney

Prosecutors allege that Luna Mota, the proprietor of Top 3 Sources, was utilizing the West Washington Street store to support and merchantability drugs. The indictment besides calls for the forfeiture of $400,000 successful cash, a .22 caliber pistol, ammunition and six vehicles, each believed to beryllium proceeds of the cause conspiracy.

It is alleged that Luna Mota, the proprietor of Top 3 Sources, a concern successful Hagerstown, Maryland, was utilizing his concern connected West Washington Street for the intent of having and selling controlled substances.

The indictment besides lists items requested for forfeiture that see much than $400,000 successful cash, a .22 caliber pistol, ammunition, and six vehicles, each believed to beryllium proceeds from the cause trafficking conspiracy.

MORE NEWS: Eviction Moratorium: What Happens To Renters When The CDC Ban Expires?

A database of the indicted individuals is disposable on the U.S. Department of Justice website.

CBS Baltimore Staff