Law Enforcement Seized 10 Kilograms of Fentanyl from the
Defendant—Enough to Kill 5 Million People
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury convicted Paul
Alexander, a/k/a David Paul Hayes and Shorty, age 47, of Hanover, Maryland, on
five federal charges including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, two counts of
possession with intent to distribute a controlled substances—specifically
fentanyl, possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and
possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
The jury returned its verdict in the evening on Monday, October 1, 2019.
The guilty verdict was announced by United States Attorney
for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge
Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District
Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
“More people die of opioid overdoses than murder in
Maryland, while drug dealers spend their profits on luxury cars and jewelry,”
said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.
“Fentanyl dealers, like Paul Alexander, sell death and despair, and
dealing in fentanyl increases their odds of federal prosecution. We’re also
targeting drug dealers who use guns and increase the risk of gun violence in
Maryland. Working together with our
local, state, and federal partners, we are determined to reduce the number of
opioid overdose deaths in Maryland.”
According to the evidence presented at his five-day trial,
from April 2018 through January 2019, Paul Alexander distributed large amounts
of fentanyl in and around the Baltimore area.
An 11-month investigation by DEA into Alexander’s drug trafficking
activities resulted in the seizure of more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl—enough
fentanyl to kill 5 million people—and over $4 million in cash from Alexander’s
car and apartments on January 2, 2019.
The evidence showed that Alexander distributed fentanyl on
several occasions to a Baltimore County drug trafficker in 2018. In addition, he was observed conducting
narcotics-related transactions with another drug dealer, and surveillance video
at his apartment complex revealed that Alexander used several vehicles to store
and deliver drugs. The evidence proved
that Alexander utilized vehicles and residences in the names of relatives and
associates in furtherance of his drug trafficking operation.
Witnesses testified that the DEA and Anne Arundel County
police executed search warrants on January 2, 2019, at two apartments
associated with Alexander. Law
enforcement testified that they recovered a loaded pistol with an extended
magazine that contained 24 rounds of ammunition, multiple bags filled with over
$4 million in cash, jewelry, and narcotics distribution paraphernalia.
The government also seeks the forfeiture of more than $4
million in cash seized during the investigation, three luxury vehicles, seven
Rolex watches, two Cartier bracelets with diamonds, a diamond tennis bracelet,
and two designer bags.
Alexander faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison
for the conspiracy; a maximum of life in prison for each of two counts of
possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; life in prison for possession of
a firearm in relation to drug trafficking; and ten years in prison for illegal
possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has
scheduled sentencing for January 3, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and
Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the
Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and
Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney
Matthew DellaBetta and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner, who
tried this Organized Crime Druge Enforcement Task Force case, and Assistant
U.S. Attorney Anatoly Smolkin, who handled pre-trial litigation.
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