A criminal justice strategy is proving itself effective after the Governor's office announced record arrest rates for the month of January.
On Wednesday, the Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention said that the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN) model has produced record arrests rates last month and has successfully targeted violent gangs and drug trafficking organizations.
MCIN was introduced by Governor Larry Hogan in December 2017. It is a criminal justice strategy that is coordinated at the local, state, and federal levels, targeting gangs, drug, firearms, and human trafficking. The Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention says MCIN is a key element of Maryland's public safety strategy and it helps make data-driven decision making.
“The Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network is an integral part of Governor Hogan’s comprehensive strategy to work across jurisdictions to dismantle criminal organizations, remain ahead of potential threats, and to keep our state and citizens safe,” said Glenn Fueston, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention. “The success for this effort is a direct result of the strong collaboration among federal, state and local partners.”
Hogan's office sent WMAR-2 News the following highlights from MCIN in January:
- The Baltimore Police Department conducted a four-month investigation into a violent gang and drug trafficking organization, known as Black Magic, operating in one of Baltimore's most violent neighborhoods. This collaborative effort resulted in 11 arrests and the seizure of seven illegal firearms, $16,000 in cash, 435 gel caps of fentanyl, 100 grams of suspected fentanyl, and 460 vials of suspected cocaine. The State's Attorney Office used the drug kingpin statute, which has a 20-year minimum sentence to dismantle the organization.
- The Cumberland Police Department conducted a successful warrant sweep operation resulting in 35 arrests on 42 warrants. One suspect, arrested for 2nd degree murder, was a known MCIN target for firearm and drug trafficking. The Cumberland MCIN Coalition also conducted a human trafficking operation in partnership with the Maryland State Police to identify potential criminal networks.
- The Hyattsville Police Department recently arrested four individuals for committing multiple robberies against taxi cab drivers in the City of Hyattsville. Through the MCIN grant, detectives were able to work together and quickly identify the suspects. As a result of this investigation, all suspects were arrested and charged. A "Search & Seizure Warrant" was obtained and executed on their residence.
- The Maryland State Police arrested a Cecil County man on firearms and drug charges following a multi-jurisdictional, multi-state investigation. The suspect was charged with five counts of possession of a rifle/shotgun with a prior felony conviction, five counts of the use of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute, and possession of controlled dangerous substances and possession of illegal ammunition. For cross-border, multi-jurisdictional cases such as this, the MCIN’s efforts are led by the Maryland State Police Gang Enforcement Unit.
