Police probe link to Texas in drug case

Baltimore police are investigating whether a Howard County man may have smuggled into Maryland more than 50 pounds of marijuana that police think he was planning to sell in the city.

James E. Brown, 32, of the 700 block of Gaither Road near Sykesville was charged Tuesday with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, police said yesterday.

Maj. Anthony G. Cannavale, head of the city's drug unit, said the investigation began Monday night when detectives were waiting for a possible sale of marijuana and cocaine in the 500 block of S. Broadway in Fells Point. As detectives approached a male suspect, he drove away in a rented Ford Mustang, Cannavale said.

Police stopped the car near the Inner Harbor and found 10 pounds of marijuana and 6 ounces of high-grade cocaine in it, Cannavale said.

Detectives then searched a horse farm in Howard County where the man was living with his girlfriend. There, police found about 50 pounds of frozen marijuana, Cannavale said. Police also recovered $2,400 and two rifles, he said.

Cannavale said detectives believe the man was getting his drugs from Texas and are investigating his ties to that state. Police think the marijuana was being sold in bulk to dealers in Baltimore.