20 Indicted for Drug-Trafficking Conspiracy in KC Area

20 defendants, primarily from Kansas City, MO have been indicted for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says most of the defendants were arrested during a recent law enforcement operation that resulted in seizures of firearms, heroin and other illegal drugs, and large amounts of cash.

32-year old Ladele D. Smith, also known as “Dellio” and “Dog,” 29-year old Roy O. Franklin Jr., 30-year old David J. Duncan IV, also known as “Deei” or “DJ,” 34-year old Terrance R. Garner, also known as “T-Dot,” 29-year old Joshua D. Marchbanks, 39-year old Cory Tremaine Brown, also known as “Twin,” 27-year old Carleeon D. Lockett, also known as “Tone,” 39-year old Gary Othniel Toombs, 28-year old Errick Eugene Martin Jr., also known as “Dough Boy,” 23-year old Kenneth Dewayne Scott, also known as “Kenny,” 31-year old Cordell D. Edwards, also known as “Duke,” 30-year old Victor Gonzalez, also known as “Lil Vic” and “El Chavo,” 33-year old Michael E. Sims, also known as “Mikey,” 33-year old Cordarrel Lamonte Scott, also known as “DOB,” 35-year old Marco Rashon Maddox, and 64-year old Herman Graham Bell Jr., all of Kansas City, along with 33-year old Cornelius Phelps, also known as “Tim Tim,” of Lee’s Summit, 28-year old Sirrico L. Franklin, also known as “Chico” and “Rico,” of Raytown, 44-year old Lencorya Tiko Montrel Grady, also known as “Thick,” of Springfield, MO, and 32-year old Martin Christopher Garner, also known as “Looch” and “Lu Lu,” of St. Louis, MO, were charged in a two-count indictment on Tuesday, October 1.

Approximately 200 federal agents and local law enforcement officers were involved in the operation, which also resulted in the arrests of two additional individuals who have been charged with being felons in possession of firearms in separate cases related to the underlying investigation of this case.

According to court documents, investigators seized 23 firearms, approximately 350 grams of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, $75,000 in cash, scales, an apparent drug ledger, and drug packaging materials during the course of the arrest operation and accompanying search warrants.

Smith, Duncan, Martin, Garner, Gonzalez, Scott, Phelps, and Bell were reportedly arrested with firearms either on their person, in their vehicle, or in their residence.

The indictment alleges that all 20 of the defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute at least a kilogram of heroin, as well as cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, codeine, and marijuana, from January 2011 - October 2019.

In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, Smith, Roy Franklin, Sirrico Franklin, and Toombs are charged with maintaining a residence for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using controlled substances.

Officers reportedly executed a search warrant at a residence maintained by Smith, Roy Franklin, Sirrico Franklin, and Toombs during the Oct. 2 operation and seized approximately 350 grams of suspected heroin, a digital scale, packaging material, two Glock handguns, two Mico Draco AK-47 pistols, a Century Arms AK-47 pistol, and an apparent bullet proof vest.

According to court documents, authorities also found a stolen Jeep, riddled with bullet holes and missing the back window, that allegedly had been used by conspirators in a shoot-out on Sept. 9, 2019, in the area of 35th Street and Woodland. In addition, investigators recovered live ammunition and shell casings inside the vehicle.

Duncan was among those arrested in his apartment during the Oct. 2 operation. Court documents indicate that officers located three firearms under his mattress: a Zastava M92PV, a Glock Model 19, and a Norinco MAK90 AK-47. Investigators also seized approximately $7,100 in cash, an apparent drug ledger on the nightstand listing nicknames and dollar amounts, and Duncan’s Dodge Charger.