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Local, State and Federal Officials Announce Takedown of Four Criminal Organizations in Drug Bust
THE AFRO — Jared Forget, special agent in charge of the DEA’s Washington Division, stated that during “the course of this nearly year-long investigation, law enforcement recovered over seven kilograms of cocaine, three kilograms of fentanyl heroin mixture, 110 lbs. of cannabis and nearly $400,000 in cash believed to be derived from the sale of Narcotics.”
By Ariyana Griffin | AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com
On Nov. 25, officials on the federal, state and local levels convened at Baltimore Police Department headquarters to announce a significant drug takedown. The operation, part of the “Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS), was titled “Operation Tornado Alley” and successfully dismantled four individual crime organizations wreaking havoc in the southwest Baltimore area.
The combined efforts of the Mayor’s Office, the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and other agencies resulted in the largest drug trafficking bust in recent years, underscoring the significant impact of this operation.
“We will not tolerate violence or behaviors that lend themselves to future violence like drug trafficking and carrying illegal guns,” said Baltimore City Mayor M. Brandon Scott. “Together, we are sending and sharing a unified message that if you make the choice to engage in these activities associated with crime and violence, there will be swift and certain consequences for your actions.”
The investigation, spearheaded by the GVRS, led to the indictment of 38 individuals on drug trafficking and firearm charges from three major drug busts.
Maryland State’s Attorney, Ivan J. Bates emphasized the importance of the collaboration with US Attorney Erek L. Barron. This partnership was crucial in providing the necessary resources for the drug bust, including wiretapping over six months and the surveillance of four key areas: 2000 W. Pratt Street, 500 Millington Avenue, 2800 Edmondson Avenue and 1700 Lemmon Street, which were under constant watch 24/7.
“Having this wire allowed us to look at other significant members of the organizations – we followed multiple targets obtaining evidence to support wiretaps for every criminal or enterprise that was identified,” said Bates. “We were able to connect how each of them was related to one another we identified targets who plan to impact violence on a mass level but as a result of proactive investigation numerate violent incidents were prevented.”
Jared Forget, special agent in charge of the DEA’s Washington Division, stated that during “the course of this nearly year-long investigation, law enforcement recovered over seven kilograms of cocaine, three kilograms of fentanyl heroin mixture, 110 lbs. of cannabis and nearly $400,000 in cash believed to be derived from the sale of Narcotics.”
Guns equipped with additions to allow for automatic discharge and 15 automobiles were also seized.
“The individuals involved in this investigation range from the age of 16 to 61 they’ve been arrested more than 220 times and 12 of them are repeat offenders – 15 of them are still at large,” said Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department.
Officials have explained that this will not be the last of the collaboration and will continue the work to ensure that the communities involved in the bust are not filled with other offenders.
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Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association
The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association
The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.
Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).
Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.
According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.
The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.
EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”
Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.
An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”
The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.
The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”
The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”
Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.
Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.
Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
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EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts
Is your home EV charging setup ready? Dealerships may not warn you about critical outlet and circuit needs. Find out before you plug in!
The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
Dealerships won’t tell you: charging this big battery at home isn’t always simple. Verify your outlet capacity, circuit, and setup before assuming level one or basic outdoor outlets will suffice.
Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/A9Cd2SspoaQ
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The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
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Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts
Don’t get tricked at the dealership! Learn essential car buying secrets to secure the best deal and avoid hidden traps.
The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
Before stepping into a dealership, secure bank pre-approval for your financing rate. Then, get the out-the-door price in writing. Never discuss monthly payments until that number is fixed. Test road noise and rear visibility yourself. Decline add-ons with a simple ‘Not today’. Check backseat space with your tallest household member.
Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/maAOBjO1puY
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The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.
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