Five Traffickers Busted in Trinidad Fentanyl Ring

Five Traffickers Busted in Trinidad Fentanyl Ring

A joint investigation by federal and local law enforcement agencies has resulted in the arrest of five defendants in connection with a fentanyl trafficking ring operating in the Trinidad neighborhood of Washington D.C.

The operation, which involved 14 search warrants and the seizure of 15 firearms, large amounts of ammunition, and over $126,000 in alleged drug proceeds, is believed to be one of the largest fentanyl trafficking rings in the city’s history.

According to court documents, the defendants, who range in age from 34 to 48, were charged with various crimes including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, and heroin, as well as firearms charges.

The investigation, which was led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the DEA, the FBI, and the Metropolitan Police Department, began in January 2023 and focused on a crew operating an open-air drug market around the 1100 block of Raum Street, NE. During the investigation, agents conducted numerous buys of fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, cocaine base, and firearms.

According to U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, the operation is a major blow to the city’s fentanyl epidemic and demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement to disrupting and dismantling organized crime groups.

The defendants, who reside in Washington D.C. and Maryland, include:

Davon Cunningham, 34, also known as “Tank” and “Kevin,” is charged with:

Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl; 10 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl Analogue; a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base; and a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Heroin; Unlawful Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl x 2; Unlawful Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Aiding and Abetting; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Levancie Carr, 41, also known as “Locs,” is charged with:

Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl; 10 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl Analogue; a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base; and a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Heroin

Roosevelt Richardson, 48, also known as “Rose,” is charged with:

Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl; 10 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl Analogue; a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base; and a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Heroin

Antonio Lucas, 46, is charged with:

Distribution of Fentanyl x 7; Distribution of 10 Grams or More of Fentanyl Analogue x 2; Distribution of N-Propylbutylone; Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by a Felon; Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Rex Pelote Jr, 39, is charged with:

Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by a Felon; Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

The investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, which aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.