Three Jamaican nationals are among 19 people charged in a major United States drug trafficking case involving the alleged distribution of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine across multiple states.
According to the United States Department of Justice, the Jamaicans charged are Rohan Lamante Broadie, 53; Marvin A. Taaff, 39; and Traci-Ann Simone Ward, 41.
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Federal prosecutors allege that the defendants participated in drug distribution conspiracies operating across several states, including Maryland, West Virginia, and South Carolina.
The charges were announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia following a multi-agency investigation involving federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities.
According to two indictments filed in the case, investigators allege that the organizations distributed significant quantities of cocaine and cocaine base throughout Berkeley and Jefferson counties over a two-year period.
Authorities claim that Broadie and Taaff, along with several co-defendants, helped lead one of the larger operations, which allegedly involved 15 defendants and utilized multiple residences to store, package, and distribute narcotics.
Prosecutors further allege that members of the organization possessed firearms in furtherance of their trafficking activities and handled substantial amounts of cash generated from drug sales.
A second organization is accused of conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, along with cocaine base, primarily in and around Jefferson County, West Virginia.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at several residences and storage facilities, reportedly seizing cocaine, tens of thousands of dollars in cash, and luxury items believed to have been purchased using drug proceeds.
Court records also indicate that Taaff has a prior federal drug trafficking conviction. In 2016, he was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges involving cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana. At the time, federal authorities identified him as a leader of a drug trafficking organization operating in Maryland.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The case remains pending before the U.S. judicial system.
