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Maryland man linked to multi-state fentanyl operation arrested

Posted at 1:27 PM, Dec 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-18 08:19:05-05

Maryland State Police arrested a man that was linked to a multi-state fentanyl distribution operation. 

Narada Michael Walls, 37, is charged with manufacturing, distributing and possessing controlled dangerous substances.

Over 10 law enforcement groups began investigating Walls and the operation in late fall of 2017. They say they were investigating him in several counties, Baltimore City, and other neighboring states. Police said the opioid distribution was mainly focused in the Wicomico County area.  

The investigation revealed Walls was importing and selling a large amount of methoxyacetyl fentanyl on a daily basis. The DEA says this strand of fentanyl is one of the most potent strands and it was being illegally important from outside of the United States.

Methoxyacetyl fentanyl is an estimated 15 times stronger than other strands. 

On Friday, multiple law enforcement agencies executed five different search and seizure warrants in Salisbury and Wicomico County. 

The following items were seized because of the operation:

  • 442.3 grams of fentanyl
  • 86 grams of marijuana
  • $17,705 in U.S. currency
  • Quantities of identified cutting agents used to dilute controlled dangerous substances prior to sale
  • Hand tools with controlled dangerous substance residue used to process/dilute the substances
  • Two digital scales found in working order and containing controlled dangerous substance residue
  • Numerous rubber gloves and filtration masks
  • Two electric coffee-style grinders covered with controlled dangerous substance residue
  • One pint of promethazine with codeine cough syrup
  • Corroborative documents
  • Numerous cell phones believed to contain corroborative information
  • One Samsung smart television believed to contain corroborative information
  • Various items identified as being used to assist in the further processing and packaging of controlled dangerous substances

Walls is being held at the Wicomico County Detention Center pending a bond review hearing on December 18.