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Baltimore Man Guilty in Heroin-Fentanyl Conspiracy
Baltimore, MD – A Baltimore man has pleaded guilty to his role in a massive heroin-fentanyl conspiracy that distributed thousands of dollars in narcotics daily across Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Tirrel Saunders, 35, also known as ‘Pretty,’ admitted to being a member of the Gregory Butler Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), which operated in and around the Baltimore area from 2018 to 2019. Saunders pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, specifically heroin and fentanyl, in U.S. District Court.
According to court documents, the Butler DTO sold over 100 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl daily, with customers believing they were purchasing heroin. However, the DTO adulterated all heroin with fentanyl, making it a deadly combination for users.
As a supervisor and manager within the DTO, Saunders oversaw daily supplies of narcotics and the collection of drug proceeds from distributors. FBI investigators intercepted Saunders regularly arranging to resupply co-conspirators with heroin and crack cocaine, which they sold to drug customers.
The investigation, part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), identified Saunders as a key player in the conspiracy and worked with local law enforcement agencies to disrupt and dismantle the DTO. Saunders agreed that over the course of the conspiracy, he distributed over one kilogram of heroin to street-level distributors.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the FBI, DEA, Montgomery County Police Department, and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Saunders is scheduled to be sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on November 19, 2021, at 1 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm.
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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