Joint Law Enforcement Effort Disrupts Two Multi-State Drug Trafficking Operations; Nineteen Defendants Charged in Homeland Security Task Force Initiative

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two multi-state drug trafficking organizations were taken down today with 13 federal arrests made in Maryland and West Virginia. “Thanks to the tireless, coordinated work of law enforcement across multiple states, our communities are now safer,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Harvey. “Our focus now turns to ensuring these individuals are held fully accountable for the harm they caused.” “Together ... we were able to collect evidence, execute search warrants, and mete out justice properly to safeguard our communities,” FBI Director Kash Patel said during a press conference in Martinsburg, West Virginia, following the takedown. “We took no shortcuts.” “Tearing this drug operation out from our communities across two states means ridding our neighborhoods of the poison and violence that tears families apart. Months of painstaking investigative work conducted by every partner agency led to unleashing the full force of the law to destroy this network fueling violence and addiction,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec. “The FBI and our local, state, and federal partners state loud and clear: crime will pay a heavy price in this region, and we will not stop in the pursuit of keeping your community safe.” According to two filed indictments, two drug trafficking operations were selling large quantities of cocaine and cocaine base in Berkely and Jefferson Counties over a two-year period. One operation, led by Rohan Broadie, aka Glama G, Aneteneh Zewde Terfe, and Marvin A. Taaff of the Baltimore and Greenbelt, Maryland areas, involved 15 defendants and used multiple residences to store and distribute drugs. Members of the group allegedly possessed firearms to support their trafficking activities and handled large amounts of cash in drug proceeds. Omari Obeng Stewart, aka O, routinely traveled between Maryland and West Virginia to supply, coordinate, and sell cocaine and cocaine base throughout the region. Several defendants are charged in a drug conspiracy involving over five kilograms of cocaine and 28 grams of cocaine base. The second organization, led by brothers Jorfory and Joroy Twyman, of Ranson, West Virginia, worked together to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine and quantities of cocaine base in and around Jefferson County, West Virginia. During the investigation, law enforcement searched multiple homes and storage units, seizing tens of thousands of dollars, cocaine, and luxury items believed to have been purchased with drug proceeds. “Today’s arrests demonstrate the power of partnership in action. Building public safety is a complex challenge that no single agency can accomplish alone. Each agency contributes unique authorities and expertise, and today, that collaboration has resulted in 14 alleged drug dealers being removed from our streets,” said Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf of Homeland Security Investigations Washington D.C. “The landscape is ever-evolving, but Homeland Security Task Force partnerships enable us to confront complex, multifaceted drug trafficking cases with a united front—leveraging our collective strengths to deliver real results.” The defendants in both cases are: Omari Obeng Stewart, also known as “O,” 46, of Greenbelt, Maryland Rohan Lamante Broadie, also known as “Glama G,” 53, an illegal alien from Jamaica Aneteneh Zewde Terfe, 45, of Baltimore, Maryland Christopher Wallace Jones, Jr., 38, of Capitol Heights, Maryland Marvin A. Taaff, 39, an illegal alien from Jamaica Omo-Karo Cooper, 46, of Brandywine, Maryland Traci-Ann Simone Ward, 41, an illegal alien from Jamaica LeeAnn Lopez, 33, of Greenbelt, Maryland Gavin Anthony Johnson, 23, of New Carrollton, Maryland Dante McFalls, 37, of Martinsburg, West Virginia Tabatha McFalls, 40, of Martinsburg, West Virginia Stanley Delano Lum, 41, of Martinsburg, West Virginia Juan Vashaun Payne, also known as “Big Guy,” 51, of Martinsburg, West Virginia Christopher Pasco, 57, of Inwood, West Virginia Jorfory Twyman, also known as “Foy,” 47, of Ranson, West Virginia Joroy Twyman, also known as “Roy,” 47, of Ranson, West Virginia Jennifer Woodsmall, 48, of Summerville, South Carolina Chaz Plauche, 31, of Charles Town, West Virginia Unnamed fugitive Six defendants remain at large. They are Omo-Karo Cooper, Tabatha McFalls, Juan Payne, Christopher Pasco, and an unnamed fugitive. Anyone with information can contact their local law enforcement office. Marvin Taaff was in custody prior to today’s arrests.