State Police Arrest Two Cecil County Men In Connection With Drug Trafficking Operation
(ELKTON, MD) – Troopers from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division arrested two Cecil County men suspected of operating a drug trafficking operation as part of a months-long, combined law enforcement investigation.
The accused, identified as Kevin Purnell Johnson, 42 and Tony Alexander Griffin, 41, both of Cecil County, are charged with multiple felony drug crimes. They were taken before the Cecil County District Court Commissioner for an initial hearing and later transported to the Cecil County Detention Center where they are currently being held without bail.
In March, members of the Maryland State Police Strategic Operations Group-North and Elkton Police Department Street Level Crimes Unit launched an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating in Cecil County. Investigators believed Griffin and Johnson were conspiring to distribute cocaine throughout the county while utilizing several residences and storage units to conceal the suspected cocaine.
After developing a pattern for their criminal activities, investigators authored search and seizure warrants for three residences and a vehicle in Cecil County, and a storage unit in Delaware. Due to the cross-border nature of this investigation, troopers collaborated with the FBI's Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force and the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Governor’s Task Force to assist with the storage unit in Delaware. In total, police seized 5 kilograms (5,599.3 grams) of compressed cocaine, 44.56 grams of crystal methamphetamine, and 1 polymer 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
On July 10 at approximately 2020 hours, members of the Maryland State Police Strategic Operations Group-North, the Cecil County Drug Task Force, Elkton Police Department, and Maryland State Police from the North East Barrack apprehended both Johnson and Griffin without incident.
This investigation and operation were supported in part by the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN). The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP) supplies grant funding and strategic assistance to MCIN member sites. These resources enable the identification, disruption, and collaboration and data sharing, contributing to a safer Maryland for all.
This investigation remains active and ongoing.
