Baltimore Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

Baltimore, Maryland – Today, U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Vincent Edison, 45, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession of firearms by a prohibited person.  Edison led a fentanyl trafficking operation that distributed large quantities of fentanyl throughout the state of Maryland.   

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian, Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) – Washington Division; Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS); and Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).

According to the guilty plea, in 2022, the DEA identified Edison, as the leader of a drug shop operating on Winchester and North Dukeland Streets in West Baltimore.  During the investigation, Edison’s drug shop sold fentanyl capsules to countless individuals, including undercover officers, daily, for 10-12 hours a day for several months. The investigation also revealed that Edison routinely sent text messages to street dealers imploring them to “open his drug shop on time,” 7 a.m. – or he would “dock” half their pay.  Law enforcement also uncovered additional text messages from Edison terminating street dealers’ employment with his drug shop and collecting proceeds from drug sales.

In addition to Edison’s Baltimore-based customers, he supplied fentanyl to buyers from distant counties.  On December 7, 2022, investigators surveilled the drug shop via closed circuit cameras.  Law enforcement observed Edison arriving at the street shop in the afternoon where he delivered a black plastic bag to one of his dealers.  Meanwhile, drug customers’ cars were parked near the drug shop.

Investigators checked the parked cars’ registrations and took note of a Chevy registered to an individual from Washington County, Maryland. The customer that owned the Chevy returned from the drug shop, got in the car, and left the area.  The DEA notified local enforcement to conduct a traffic stop on the Chevy.  When the Chevy arrived in Washington County, Maryland, law enforcement stopped and searched it, recovering 500 gel caps of fentanyl inside of a black plastic bag for a total weight 263 grams.     

As the investigation progressed, investigators identified Edison’s stash location, in Baltimore County, Maryland.  The stash location was used to prepare fentanyl for distribution.  Investigators observed Edison frequenting the stash location daily and believed that he obtained drugs that he secreted inside black plastic bags. Then Edison delivered them to his street level dealers.  

During the afternoon of December 11, investigators surveilled the stash location via a covert camera and observed Edison leave the stash location with a black plastic bag.  Edison drove to the street shop and delivered the bag to street dealers. Soon after, investigators observed an increase in drug activity at the drug shop.

Then on January 27, 2023, investigators executed search warrants for Edison’s Baltimore City residence and his Baltimore County stash location.  Edison was present when investigators searched his residence.  During the search, law enforcement recovered five firearms, including an AR style rifle; a 12-gauge shotgun; and three, loaded semi-automatic handguns.  Investigators also recovered 70 grams of fentanyl; multiple luxury jewelry items, valued at approximately $150,000; and approximately $90,805.

Additionally, investigators identified a fentanyl lab at the stash location. The lab contained hundreds of capsules, 22 Cap-M-Quick capsule fillers, a digital scale, numerous latex gloves, and paraphernalia for packaging fentanyl for distribution.  Investigators also recovered 133.28 grams of fentanyl powder from a clear bag and 400 capsules of fentanyl powder, totaling 307 grams.     

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA, DPSCS, BCPD, and Washington County Sherriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin C. Miner who is prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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