EASTON, Md.– After several months of investigation and the help of several agencies, nine people have been indicted for allegedly being apart of a drug trafficking organization in two Maryland Eastern Shore counties.

The Caroline County Drug Task Force started the investigation by looking into the operation of a drug trafficking organization believed to be distributing large amount of cocaine, opioids, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamines in Caroline and Dorchester counties and parts of Delaware. Multiple law enforcement agencies ultimately provided assistance with the investigation.

Through the investigation and the evidence, officers were able to obtain 11 search warrants. The homes that were searched were in Preston, Hurlock, Federalsburg, Lanham and Crofton.

As a result of those search warrants, police recovered over 18 kilograms of cocaine, 2.7 kilograms of heroin/fentanyl, 5.9 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 170 pounds of marijuana and approximately 34 firearms along with money believed to be connected to the drug operation.

The following people were indicted during the investigation:

Justin Aaron Spain, 41, of Lanham, Maryland

Charged with:

  • 2 counts of being a drug kingpin
  • Possession of large amount of controlled dangerous substance
  • Distribution of large amount of controlled dangerous substance
  • Distribution of narcotics
  • 2 counts of conspiracy to distribute narcotic
  • Possession with intent to distribute narcotics
  • 2 counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics
  • Conspiracy with intent to distribute narcotics

Spain is being held at the Caroline County Detention Center without bond.

Michael Anthony Holland, 36, of Hurlock, Maryland

Charged with:

  • 3 counts of being a drug kingpin
  • 3 counts conspiracy to distribute large amounts of narcotics
  • 3 counts conspiracy to distribute narcotics
  • Felon in possession of firearm
  • Rifle/shotgun possession by disqualified person
  • Illegal possession ammunition

Holland is being held at the Dorchester County Detention Center without bond.

Gregory Lovern Williams Jr., 39, of Federalsburg, Maryland

Charged with:

  • 2 counts of being a drug kingpin
  • 2 counts of conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances
  • 4 counts conspiracy to distribute narcotics
  • Firearm possession with a felony conviction
  • Illegal possession of ammunition
  • Possession of controlled dangerous substance not-marijuana

Williams is being held at the Dorchester County Detention Center held without bond.

Margerette Derosiers, 28, of Federalsburg, Maryland

Charged with:

  • Conspiracy to distribute large amounts of controlled dangerous substances
  • Conspiracy to distribute narcotics
  • 2 counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics
  • 2 counts possession of controlled dangerous substances not-marijuana

Derosiers is Being held at the Dorchester County Detention Center held without bond.

Andre Luther Woolford, 33, of Hurlock, Maryland

Charged with:

  • Possession with intent to distribute narcotics
  • 2 counts of conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute narcotics
  • Possession of controlled dangerous substance not-marijuana

Woolford is being held at the Dorchester County Detention Center held without bond.

Joseph Archie Spain III, 44, of Preston, Maryland

Charged with:

  • 2 counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics
  • 2 counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances
  • 3 counts of conspiracy with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances
  • 3 counts of use of a firearm in drug trafficking
  • Controlled dangerous substance nuisance
  • 2 counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance – not marijuana
  • Possession of more than 10 grams of marijuana

Spain is being held without bond at the Caroline County Detention Center.

Michelle Lynn Spain, 48, of Preston, Maryland

Charged with:

  • Conspiracy to commit possession with intent to distribute narcotics.
  • 2 counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances
  • 2 counts of conspiracy to commit possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances
  • 3 counts of using a firearm in drug trafficking
  • Controlled dangerous substance nuisance
  • 2 counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance – not marijuana
  • Possession of more than 10 grams of marijuana

Spain is being held without bond at the Caroline County Detention Center.

James Eugene Simms, 36, of Great Mills, Maryland

Charged with:

  • Possession with intent to distribute narcotics
  • Conspiracy to distribute narcotics
  • Possession of a controlled dangerous substance – not marijuana

Simms is being held at the Caroline County Detention Center without bond.

George Alfred Butler, 56, of Federalsburg, Maryland

Charged with:

  • Possession with intent to distribute narcotics
  • Conspiracy to distribute narcotics
  • Possession of a controlled dangerous substance – not marijuana

Butler is being held at the Caroline County Detention Center without bond.

The Caroline County Drug Task Force is a multi-agency drug task force, based in Ridgely, Maryland; which functions under the direction and control of the drug task force advisory board. The drug task force is comprised of sworn law enforcement officers and contributions from the Caroline County Sheriff's Department, Maryland State Police, Maryland Natural Resources Police, Caroline County States Attorney's Office, and the Denton Police Department.

The Caroline and Dorchester County Task Forces, Homeland Security Investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration, were further assisted by Dorchester County State’s Attorney’s Office, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, MSP Special Operations Group, MSP STATE Team, MSP Homicide, MSP PACE, MSP Gun Unit, MSP Criminal Investigations (Easton, Centreville, Salisbury, Princess Anne and Worcester), MSP Technical Surveillance Unit, Easton Police Department, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Talbot County Narcotics Task Force, Kent County Narcotics Task Force, Queen Anne’s County Narcotics Task Force, Somerset County Narcotics Task Force, Queen Anne's County Sheriff’s Office, Federalsburg Police, and the Hurlock Police Department.

The operation was further supported by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Initiative, the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, and the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network Initiative.

The case remains under investigation.