Baltimore Drug Trafficking Organization Takedown

Baltimore, MD - The Baltimore Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Attorney's Office of Maryland, the Baltimore City Police Department, and the Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City are announcing prosecutions stemming from a joint takedown of a North Baltimore drug trafficking organization.

Beginning in August 2025, ATF Baltimore Group VI and the Baltimore City Police Department (Northern District - District Action Team (DAT)) collaborated on a joint investigation targeting members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) operating in the area of the 500 block of Sheridan Avenue in Baltimore City.

Between August 2025 and March 2026, ATF and BPD investigators worked in collaboration to identify specific members, locate potential stash locations and dismantle the organization. This culminated in an April 8, 2026, operation in which federal search warrants were executed simultaneously at various addresses in the 500 block of Sheridan Avenue, along with another Baltimore City property. Additionally, Baltimore County Police SWAT executed a warrant at a Baltimore County residence.

Omar Gilliam, 43, Derrell Washington Coates, 42, Kevin Harris, 34, and Darren Farmer, 36, are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base, commonly referred to as crack cocaine. Stephen Oliver, 38, is charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Additionally, Gilliam and Oliver are charged with firearm trafficking and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person due to each having a prior felony conviction.

Additionally, three others were charged in Baltimore City for illegal firearms possession and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

In all, investigators were able to recover numerous firearms and nearly 400 grams of suspected narcotics.

"This operation highlights the power of coordinated teamwork," said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer. "ATF remains firmly committed to holding the most violent individuals in our community accountable using every available tool to protect public safety."

"This takedown is a strong example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement at every level works together with a shared commitment to public safety," said Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley. Through the dedication of our Northern District Action Team and the support of our federal, state, and local partners, we were able to dismantle a dangerous group responsible for trafficking drugs and contributing to violence in our communities. Our work continues, and together, we are making Baltimore and our region safer."

"Residents in every neighborhood of our city have concerns about the guns and drugs that fuel violence in their community. Today's takedown once again reaffirms that we have made it our mission, as law enforcement, to find purveyors of violence and crime and hold them accountable. This investigation reflects the power of strong collaboration between our local and federal law enforcement partners," said Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates. "I want to thank the U.S. Attorney's Office, Baltimore Police Department, ATF Baltimore, the U.S. Marshal's Office, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their partnership and commitment to public safety. As our Firearm & Drug Trafficking Unit prepares to prosecute defendants Eddie Lewis, Diane Horton, and Dearmas Horton, we will continue working together to dismantle similar networks that put lives at risk and undermine the safety of Baltimore's communities."

ATF protects America's communities by confronting violent crime driven by the illegal use of firearms, explosives and acts of arson. Our special agents concentrate on identifying and dismantling illegal firearms traffickers who fuel violence by arming prohibited persons, gang members, drug cartels, illegal aliens and terrorist organizations.

Through advanced Crime Gun Intelligence (NIBIN, firearms tracing, and touch DNA), ATF partners with state and local law enforcement to investigate, identify, and prosecute violent offenders. At the same time, we safeguard lawful commerce and uphold the Constitution.

More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov .