Federal investigators say a man from Baltimore will spend eight years in prison after they uncovered a cocaine distribution operation linked to a local stash house. What started as a Drug Enforcement Administration inquiry in 2023 gradually turned into a deeper investigation.
Marvin Miller, age 38, was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine after agents kept watch for months. Court filings indicate that cameras and electronic monitoring were used to observe activity at a property officials described as a key location for coordinating multiple drug transactions.
How Investigators Built the Case
In April 2023, agents began concentrating on the property after labeling it a suspected stash house. With the help of cameras and electronic monitoring, they watched everyday activity and saw Miller visit daily, meeting regularly with individuals believed to be co-conspirators.
On December 19, 2023, investigators saw Miller meet with a buyer identified as Elroy Johnson inside the house. Johnson later exited carrying an object hidden in his clothing. During a traffic stop, officers located one kilogram of cocaine under the seat.
Police then requested a search warrant for both the residence and Miller’s car. As officers moved in, he tried to escape but was captured. He later admitted that cocaine and cash were present, resulting in the seizure of one kilogram and $671,685.
Traffic Stop and Search Warrant Execution
After officers stopped Elroy Johnson for a traffic violation, they searched his vehicle and found one kilogram of cocaine hidden beneath the driver’s seat. That discovery strengthened investigators’ suspicions and gave them grounds to move quickly.
Detectives applied for a warrant to search the stash house and Miller’s vehicle, laying out what they had observed over months of monitoring. A judge approved the request, allowing officers to enter the property and secure potential evidence.
When authorities approached the house, Miller tried to run but was quickly detained. Inside, investigators recovered another kilogram of cocaine, three cellphones, and $671,685 stored in two suitcases, money they believe was meant for a future purchase.
Cocaine, Cash and Conspiracy Details
As mentioned before, investigators gathered considerable physical evidence during the search process. Beyond the immediate items taken, agents studied banking patterns and electronic communications to understand how the operation ran each day and who else might have been involved.
Court filings show that digital messages pointed toward plans to grow distribution beyond the amounts already recovered. Prosecutors explained that those communications demonstrated organization and preparation, backing their argument that the operation was structured instead of loosely arranged.
The Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office said the anticipated scale of future transactions highlighted the seriousness of the conspiracy charge. In remarks connected to the case, officials warned that organized trafficking groups can channel large quantities into communities without persistent investigative pressure.
Endnote
Large cocaine cases tend to revive arguments over whether long prison terms stop trafficking or simply swap one person for another. Certain community voices say enforcement alone cannot fix the issue, while prosecutors and the Drug Enforcement Administration insist that accountability plays a key role in community safety.
Officials say investigations that track money, communications and supply routes are becoming standard practice in Maryland. Even though this case resulted in an eight-year sentence, officials say similar coordinated networks will remain targets for continued investigation and prosecution.