MDTA POLICE INTERCEPT MORE THAN A POUND OF HEROIN ON I-95 IN BALTIMORE

 

 

BALTIMORE, MD - The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Police have arrested three South Carolina men who had 625 grams of heroin with a street value of approximately $62,500 in their car.

 

"Heroin has caused devastation in all corners of our state," said Governor Larry Hogan. "My administration is committed to providing better treatment, support for prevention and stronger law-enforcement efforts to address this crisis. Preventing drugs from entering our state is just as important as helping individuals and families struggling with heroin addiction, and I commend our MDTA Police for their stellar work on the front lines of this fight."

 

On Sunday, MDTA Police Officer T. Massucci stopped Raken Kwame Gause, 26, of Longs, S.C., on southbound I-95 near Exit 50 (Caton Avenue). Gause, who was driving a 2015 Chevrolet sedan, was exceeding the maximum posted speed limit (64 mph in a 55 mph zone). After a brief roadside interview, officers located 6,250 pouches of heroin, less than 10 grams of marijuana, and prescription cough medicine in the vehicle's cabin.

 

"This is a significant arrest in Maryland's fight against the destructive heroin and opioid epidemic," said MDTA Police Chief Colonel Jerry Jones. "The MDTA Police is committed to keeping heroin out of Maryland's communities and to shutting down dealers using our interstates as transport routes to destroy communities in neighboring states."

 

Gause was traveling from New Jersey to South Carolina and was accompanied by Rashawn Deon'Tra Gore, 25, of Little River, S.C., and Jamison Damar Ward, 23, of Aynor, S.C. Police took all three into custody without incident. None of the men took responsibility for the heroin. A digital scale and drug packaging materials also were located in the vehicle.

 

The MDTA Police charged the three men with: drug possession - heroin with intent to distribute, drug possession - heroin, importation of at least four grams of opium, and altering a prescription drug label, among other charges. Ward also was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, and Gause was charged with exceeding the maximum posted speed limit. After processing, officers transported all three to the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Facility for an appearance before a District Court Commissioner, where Gause was held on $500,000 bail, and Gore and Ward on $400,000 bail.

 

In late February, the MDTA Police also intercepted 18 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $45,000 following a traffic stop on I-95 in Baltimore.