Five Perrine Residents Arrested for their Involvement in a Drug Trafficking Network

Five Perrine residents were arrested this morning for their involvement in a drug trafficking network believed to be the largest source of narcotics supply in the neighborhood of Perrine, as part of the Southern District of Florida’s Violence Reduction Partnership (“VRP”) initiative.

Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Adolphus P. Wright for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division; and Director Juan J. Perez of the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), made the announcement.

The Criminal Complaint charges Tedrick “Ted” King, 45, Wilhemnia Nottage, 35, Corey Evans, 28, Christopher McCollur, a/k/a “Block,” 32,  Keyon Harris, 37, and Jonis Webster, a/k/a “J.J.,” 39, all of Miami-Dade County, with a conspiracy, that spanned from October 2018 through June 2019, to possess with intent to distribute narcotics, and possession with intent to distribute narcotics (Case No. 19-MJ-3049).   The defendants are scheduled to have their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Becerra tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.

The Criminal Complaint arises from a joint investigation conducted by the FBI, DEA, and MDPD involving Ted King and his criminal associates (the “King Enterprise”), including the charged defendants, for crimes including narcotics distribution and money laundering.  Since the start of the investigation, law enforcement officers have conducted approximately 30 controlled narcotics purchases from the King Enterprise, including cocaine, marijuana, and Molly.  Law enforcement, through the course of physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, and debriefs with witnesses, believes that the King Enterprise is the largest current source of cocaine distribution in the neighborhood of Perrine, located in the Southern District of Florida.  The investigation has revealed that the King Enterprise utilizes multiple locations to distribute narcotics, store narcotics, and conceal the proceeds of the narcotics sales.

Fourteen individuals have also been arrested and face state charges for related criminal conduct.  The investigation remains pending and additional individuals involved in the sales of illegal drugs may also be arrested and prosecuted.  If convicted of possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, or conspiracy to do same, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison.

A Criminal Complaint is only an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Through the collaborative VRP, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its federal and local law enforcement allies have sought to dismantle the most violent criminal networks that plague communities throughout the Southern District of Florida. The VRP strives to combat violent crime, narcotics trafficking, gang activity and firearms offenses by prosecuting offenders and working with community leaders and non-profit entities to provide preventive services to the local populations.  The charges announced today are the result of the VRP’s law enforcement initiatives. Additional information regarding the VRP initiatives is available at usafls.vrp@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail) or by calling (305) 961-9134.

The members of the VRP include the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, DEA’s Miami Field Office, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Sunrise Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Miami-Dade Police Department, FBI’s Miami Field Office, Hollywood Police Department, Homestead Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), North Miami Beach Police Department, Miami-Dade Police Department, City of Miami Police Department, Palm Beach County Sherriff’s Office, Broward County Office of the State Attorney, and Miami-Dade Office of the State Attorney.

U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, DEA, and MDPD.  She thanked the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and Homestead Police Department for their assistance.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cary O. Aronovitz.