Two Cecil County men arrested after months-long drug trafficking investigation

BALTIMORE, MD (WBFF) — Maryland State Police arrested two Cecil County men after a months-long investigation uncovered an alleged drug trafficking operation involving cocaine and methamphetamine

Police said Troopers from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division arrested Kevin Purnell Johnson, 42, and Tony Alexander Griffin, 41, both of Cecil County, in connection with what police described as a drug trafficking organization operating in the county. Police said the men are charged with multiple felony drug crimes.

According to police, the investigation began in March when members of the Maryland State Police Strategic Operations Group-North and the Elkton Police Department Street Level Crimes Unit launched a probe into a suspected drug trafficking organization.

Investigators believed Griffin and Johnson were conspiring to distribute cocaine throughout Cecil County while using several residences and storage units to conceal the suspected cocaine.

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After investigators developed what police called a pattern of criminal activity, they obtained search and seizure warrants for three residences and a vehicle in Cecil County, along with a storage unit in Delaware.

Because the investigation crossed state lines, Maryland State Police said troopers worked with the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force and the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Governor’s Task Force regarding the storage unit in Delaware.

Police said the searches led to the seizure of 5 kilograms (5,599.3 grams) of compressed cocaine, 44.56 grams of crystal methamphetamine, and one polymer 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

On July 10 around 8 p.m., Maryland State Police said members of the Strategic Operations Group-North, the Cecil County Drug Task Force, the Elkton Police Department, and Maryland State Police from the North East Barrack apprehended Johnson and Griffin without incident.

Maryland State Police said Johnson and Griffin 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.