18 Charged in Large Drug Organization Bust

Baltimore, MD – Eighteen defendants alleged to be part of a large drug trafficking organization operating in Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland; New Jersey; and California, have been charged in connection with distributing large amounts of marijuana, diverted pharmaceuticals, steroids, cocaine and other controlled substances.

Approximately 250 law enforcement agents participated in the execution of today’s search and arrest warrants. Fifteen of the defendants have been charged by indictment with conspiring to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, and all of these defendants except Charles Thomson are also charged with conspiring to launder the drug proceeds:

Kerem Dayi, a/k/a “Kenny” and “Cashmir,” age 40, of Gambrills, Maryland, and California; Robert Randall Glickman, age 61, of Dallas, Texas; Scott Russell Segal, age 31, of Glen Burnie and Hanover, Maryland; Gabriel Gonzalez, age 26; Gokahn Bergal, age 29, of Clifton, New Jersey; Steven Neil Madden, age 43, of Randallstown, Maryland; Martin Dandy, age 31, of Arnold, Maryland; Patrick Russo, age 39, of Fairfield, New Jersey; Ryan Burton Wheeler, age 32, of Annapolis, Maryland; Anthony Caesar Santoiemma, a/k/a “Bo,”age 43, of Annapolis; Anthony Evans Owings Seen, age 26, of Glen Burnie; Christopher John Garner, age 41, of Hanover; Frederick Blair Thomas, age 31, of Glen Burnie; Sae Hyong Hwang, age 33, of Odenton, Maryland; and Charles Michael Thomson, age 62, of Savage Minnesota.

The indictment was returned under seal on January 10, 2013. Three defendants are charged by complaint with the marijuana conspiracy: Alexandros Lineberry, age 36, of Arnold; Jeffrey Dennis Small, age 32, of Annapolis; and Donald Goodman, age 63, of Baltimore.

The complaint was filed yesterday under seal. The indictment and complaint were unsealed today upon the arrests of 15 defendants and the execution of search warrants at 17 residences and businesses of the defendants in Maryland, five in New Jersey and one in California. At least 30 vehicles, 60 pounds of marijuana, $300,000 in cash and 35 firearms have been seized.

The indictment and complaint were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Brisolari of the Drug Enforcement Administration – Washington Field Division; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Larry W. Tolliver; Howard County Police Chief William McMahon; Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Gerido of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Sheila Olander of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Postal Inspector in Charge Gary R. Barksdale of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division.

“The Drug Enforcement Administration, working in partnership with both federal and local law enforcement, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland are bringing to justice18 members of a narcotic trafficking organization operating throughout the United States,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Brisolari of DEA’s Washington Division. “As a result of this investigation numerous properties, vehicles and banks accounts have been seized totaling millions of dollars.”

The investigation began when defendant Frederick Thomas was in a single car accident on Route 100 at Quarterfield Road in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The search warrants executed today will continue to aid in the dismantling of the organization and the seizure of its assets.