Drug raid
Baltimore police and the FBI raided a house on Southwest Baltimore this morning and arrested two men on drug and gun charges. That in itself isn't news. Cops do this all the time in Baltimore. But in the past, such raids rarely got noticed.
City police now have a new spokesman, Anthony J. Guglielmi, who wants to promote the department in ways that hasn't been done before. The cops rarely issued press releases or statements, and usually only responded when questioned by a reporter. That appears to be changing.
The release even came with a nice quote from Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld, who, when he does speak, can be very passionate about his job, the crime he faces in the city and the work his officers do every day.
The release is below:
Joint Baltimore Police and FBI Task Force Seize Guns and Drugs in Early Morning Raid
BPD Targeting Violent Offenders in Partnership with FBI
BALTIMORE. MD / December 12, 2008 – Agents with the Baltimore Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided a “crip” gang house this morning resulting in the arrest of two known felons and seizure of drugs and automatic weapons. Members of the FBI SWAT team conducted the initial entry at 225 S. Hilton St in Southwestern Baltimore. Dennis Cunningham, age 20 and Anthony Smith, age 34, were arrested and will face federal charges. Both individuals had prior felony convictions.
“There’s zero-tolerance in Baltimore for criminal gangs,” said Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld. “If you’re associated with the criminal element in this city, best of luck sleeping because we’ll be knocking down on your door soon.” As part of the Commissioner’s crime suppression strategy, the Baltimore Police Department will continue its focus on targeting violent offenders and illegal guns.
The BPD / FBI Joint Task Force is part of the Department of Justice’s Safe Streets Violent Crime Initiative, designed to address violent street gangs and drug-related violence through the establishment of long-term, proactive task forces focusing on violent gangs, crime of violence, and the apprehension of violent fugitives.
Items Recovered in the Raid Include:
One Keltec Sub 2000 9mm Luger fully auto machine pistol
Remington 12 gauge sawed off shotgun
Mossberg500a 12 gauge shotgun pistol
Smith & Wesson .32 cal revolver
Ammunition
12 bags crack cocaine
Anthony J. Guglielmi
Director, Public Affairs Division
Baltimore Police Department
