Nine members of the so-called D-Block gang have been indicted on drug and racketeering charges.

 

After a year-long investigation involving the NOPD, Orleans Parish District Attorney, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the Drug Enforcement Agency, four members of the gang were arrested in coordinated operations on May 11. Another was apprehended a day later by the NOPD VOWS unit.

 

Three members of the group were previously incarcerated on unrelated charges. All nine indicted subjects are in custody.

 

“Mayor Cantrell has charged me with delivering real results for the people of New Orleans --- and these arrests are evidence of just that,” NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison said. “I take that responsibility to the Mayor and to the people of New Orleans extremely seriously, and I am proud today to stand here with my leadership team and talk to you about results.”

 

Harrison said he is proud to be able to report tangible success in our fight to make the people of New Orleans safe.

 

In July of 2017, members of the First District General Assignment Unit, with the assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Drug Enforcement Agency began a narcotics investigation in the 2500 and 2600 blocks of Dumaine Street.

 

During this time, investigating officers identified nine subjects that were responsible for distributing narcotics from within the blocks.

 

On May 9, 2018, the officers were able to secure State Grand Jury Indictments for the nine subjects for conspiracy to engage in racketeering acts.

 

• Three subjects Dwayne Jenkins, Gabriel Bell and Brian Lott were already incarcerated when other members of the group were taken into custody

 

• During the Operation four additional subjects, Taron Blackmon, Glynn McCormick, Derrick Brumfield and Lawrence Conway, were apprehended.

 

• Wayman Williams was apprehended by the VOWS unit on May 14, 2018

 

• Johnny Johnson was apprehended on May 15, 2018

 

The Special Operations Divisions executed the search warrants of two target locations:

 

In the 2500 block of Dumaine Street, SOD Officers located (two of the arrested subjects) Glynn “Spot” McCormick and Derrick “Young Boy” Brumfield as they attempted to flee the residence through a rear door.

 

A search of the residence uncovered 10.36 grams of heroin, drug paraphernalia and nearly $9,000 in cash. 

 

As the search warrant was being executed in the 2500 Dumaine Street, First District officers conducted a traffic stop of another target Lawrence “Lo” Conway, who was under surveillance.  A search incident to arrest revealed Conway to be in possession of 55 bags of heroin, totaling 13.20 grams, packaged for sale.

 

First District officers also conducted a traffic stop of Taron “Tee” Blackmon, who was also under surveillance.  Search incident to arrest revealed that Blackmon to be in possession of 1.16 grams of heroin and $327 in cash.

 

SOD also executed another search warrant in the 600 block of North Gayoso Street, the residence of Wayman Williams. First District officers confiscated a quantity of unknown pills, but did not locate Williams during the search. He was later apprehended.

 

Johnny “J5” Johnson remains at large.

 

The subjects used the rap group moniker “Money Wave” as a front and cover to conspire to distribute marijuana, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, Heroin, Ecstasy, Tramadol mainly in the 2500 – 2600 block of Dumaine Street.

 

“The successful conclusion of this investigation, which culminated in the indictments of these individuals, is a testament to the close, collaborative, and productive working relationship enjoyed by all law enforcement agencies involved,” Harrison said.

 

Operation Wipeout took the following off the streets of New Orleans:

• Guns – 15
• Marijuana – 3,075.75 grams (6.781 pounds)
• Crack Cocaine – 116.43 grams
• Heroin – 310.76 grams (10 ounces)
• Methamphetamines – 18.90 grams
• Ecstasy – 27.62
• Tramadol pills – 16 grams
• Hydrocodine – 14 grams
• Powder Cocaine – 1.17 grams
• Cash – $35,293