Six people in Hagerstown, Maryland, conspired to distribute enough fentanyl to kill 1 million people, or 25 times the population of Hagerstown, federal prosecutors say.
Citing a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown reports that law enforcement seized more than 2 kilograms of fentanyl during the investigation. Six people were indicted for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to distribute fentanyl in the Hagerstown area between September and December.
Four of the defendants, 49-year-old Lekeith Dion Mitchell, 38-year-old Gary Lee Washington, 33-year-old Joenna Marie Nicewarner and 36-year-old Lama Junior Jean-Pierre, were arrested Feb. 20. Two others, 35-year-old Dustin Ray Stipes and 28-year-old Nyana Angelina Cheese, are still being sought.
According to the Herald-Mail, authorities seized more than $127,000 from a house owned by Washington. Authorities also say that Washington had a semi-automatic rifle.
Mitchell allegedly possessed four loaded firearms as well.
The report didn't include comments from the defendants.
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Currently, Washington, Nicewarner and Mitchell are still detained. Jean-Pierre has been released under supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services.
