Three Jamaicans charged in major US multi-state drug trafficking crackdown

Three Jamaicans are among 19 people charged in a major United States drug trafficking investigation that authorities say dismantled two multi-state criminal organizations operating across Maryland, West Virginia and other states.

The accused Jamaicans have been identified as Rohan Lamante Broadie, 53; Marvin A. Taaff, 39; and Traci-Ann Simone Ward, 41.

The charges were announced Tuesday by the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia following a coordinated law enforcement operation that resulted in federal arrests in Maryland and West Virginia.

According to federal prosecutors, the defendants are accused of participating in drug trafficking conspiracies involving cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Authorities allege that two separate drug trafficking organizations operated in Berkeley and Jefferson counties in West Virginia over a two-year period, distributing large quantities of cocaine and cocaine base.

One of the organizations was allegedly led by Broadie, Taaff and Maryland resident Aneteneh Zewde Terfe. Prosecutors say the operation involved 15 defendants and utilized multiple residences to store and distribute narcotics.

Federal authorities further allege that members of the organization possessed firearms in support of their drug trafficking activities and handled substantial amounts of cash generated from drug sales. Court documents also allege that several defendants participated in a conspiracy involving more than five kilograms of cocaine and 28 grams of cocaine base.

Investigators say another member of the alleged network, Omari Obeng Stewart, routinely traveled between Maryland and West Virginia to supply, coordinate and distribute cocaine and cocaine base throughout the region.

A second organization, allegedly led by twin brothers Jorfory Twyman and Joroy Twyman of West Virginia, is accused of distributing more than 500 grams of cocaine and quantities of cocaine base in and around Jefferson County.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at multiple homes and storage units, seizing tens of thousands of dollars in cash, cocaine and luxury items believed to have been purchased with drug proceeds, according to federal authorities.

US Attorney Matthew L. Harvey said the arrests were the result of a coordinated effort by numerous federal, state and local agencies.

"Thanks to the tireless, coordinated work of law enforcement across multiple states, our communities are now safer," Harvey said in a statement. "Our focus now turns to ensuring these individuals are held fully accountable for the harm they caused."

Authorities described Broadie, Taaff and Ward as Jamaican nationals who were in the United States illegally.

Meanwhile, court records show that Taaff has a prior federal drug trafficking conviction. In 2016, he was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana. Federal authorities at the time identified him as a leader of a drug trafficking organization operating in Maryland.

Six defendants remain at large, according to federal authorities, while Taaff was already in custody before the latest arrests were carried out.

The investigation involved more than a dozen law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the West Virginia State Police and several local police and sheriff's departments.

Federal prosecutors noted that the charges are allegations only, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.