Henry Clark, Drug Trafficking, Kansas 2023

Over 50 People Indicted in Manhattan Fentanyl Trafficking Ring

Manhattan, Kansas - In a stunning blow to the city's streets, over 50 people have been indicted on federal charges in connection with a massive fentanyl trafficking operation. The investigation, dubbed Operation Chicago Connection, was led by federal authorities and involved a three-year probe into the activities of a drug trafficking organization.

At the heart of the investigation was the overdose death of 18-year-old Kansas State student Maxwell F. Dandaneu, who was found dead in his off-campus apartment on September 26, 2017. An indictment alleges that Dandaneu obtained the fentanyl from a drug trafficking organization made up of five conspirators, including Henry Clark, Sylvester Calvert, Michael Calvert, James Toliver, and Blake Woodward.

The indictment charges Clark, Calvert, Toliver, and Woodward with conspiring to distribute fentanyl and heroin, resulting in Dandaneu's overdose death, as well as other charges. Woodward is also charged with directly distributing the fentanyl to Dandaneu that led to the fatal overdose.

The investigation uncovered a wide range of illicit substances, including ecstasy, marijuana, methamphetamine, and hydrocodone. The charges include conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in bodily injury or death, distributing controlled substances resulting in bodily harm or death, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and maintaining a drug involved premise.

Law enforcement officers served arrest warrants and search warrants in Manhattan on Tuesday as part of a federal takedown that was one of the largest in state history. The defendants are scheduled to begin making initial appearances in federal court in Topeka today.

The following defendants were charged:

• Henry Clark, 42, Manhattan, Kansas - Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin, distributing controlled substances resulting in bodily harm or death, and other charges.
• Sylvester Calvert, Jr., 31, Manhattan, Kansas - Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin, distributing controlled substances resulting in bodily harm or death, and other charges.
• Michael Calvert, 28, Manhattan, Kansas - Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin, distributing controlled substances resulting in bodily harm or death, and other charges.
• James Toliver, 39, Manhattan, Kansas - Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin, distributing controlled substances resulting in bodily harm or death, and other charges.
• Blake Woodward, 23 - Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin, distributing controlled substances resulting in bodily harm or death, and other charges.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/investigation-manhattan-results-50-people-indicted-n-federal-drug-trafficking-charges