Murray Ray, Fentanyl Trafficking, Maryland 2023

A Baltimore man has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for his role in a fentanyl trafficking organization.

Murray Ray, 22, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to his plea agreement, Ray was part of a drug trafficking organization operating in the 1400 block of Kuper Street and in the area of West Pratt and South Calhoun Streets in Baltimore. Members of the organization, including Ray, conducted hand-to-hand sales of drugs to customers in those areas.

Ray admitted that it was reasonably foreseeable to him that members of the conspiracy would distribute more than 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers conducted video surveillance of the drug shop where Ray distributed fentanyl. On March 15, 2018, members of the Baltimore City Police Department recovered a firearm and fentanyl from the backyard of a vacant house in the vicinity of Pratt and Calhoun Streets.

On May 2, 2018, law enforcement officers stopped Ray while he was driving a stolen vehicle. During a search of that vehicle, BPD recovered another firearm.

Eighteen other defendants were also convicted as members of the drug trafficking organization. Eight, including Ray, have been sentenced to between 70 months and 11 years in federal prison and eleven others are awaiting sentencing.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the FBI and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Stendig, Charles Austin, and Michael Hanlon, who prosecuted the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/baltimore-fentanyl-dealer-sentenced-11-years-federal-prison