Four Cuyahoga County men were taken into custody for allegedly running a large-scale drug manufacturing and trafficking operation in Northeast Ohio. These arrests come after a 15-month investigation by federal investigators and prosecutors from the Cleveland Homeland Security Task Force.
The following individuals were charged through a criminal complaint:
- Marcus Brown, 36, of Cleveland
- Kardell Henderson, 32, of Solon
- Terence Montgomery, 32, of Cleveland
- Devonte Poteat, 30, of Euclid
All four defendants were arrested and are currently in custody until future court proceedings.
According to an affidavit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), in late summer 2025, ATF and Homeland Security Investigations were working with other federal and local law enforcement agencies to investigate large-scale narcotics trafficking in Northern Ohio. Brown, Henderson, Montgomery, and Poteat were later identified by law enforcement as suspected drug traffickers.
“This investigation would not be possible without the incredible collaboration among all levels of law enforcement here in our Northern District of Ohio,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer. “We have a common goal to target and go after suspected drug traffickers who destroy our communities. With the support and full resources of the Homeland Security Task Force we are equipped to stop violent criminals who profit from hurting others.”
During a search warrant execution at a suspected stash home in East Cleveland, officers discovered more than 20 bags containing varying amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base (crack). One room in the house was set aside for medicine manufacture. Items recovered inside included a breathing respirator, a drug press, and a loaded pistol. Multiple bags of suspected illegal substances, packaged and ready for distribution, were also discovered throughout the house, hidden beneath mattresses, in furniture, and in a clothes hamper.
“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) remains steadfast in its commitment to working alongside our law enforcement partners to investigate and dismantle organized criminal organizations that threaten the safety of our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jorge Rosendo. “Through the coordinated efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force, we are holding violent offenders accountable and making Northern Ohio a safer place for all residents.”
A court-authorized search was also conducted at several other places in Euclid, South Euclid, and Solon that were linked to the defendant. Seized items included bags of suspected illegal substances, guns, ammunition, digital scales, blenders, many telephones, cash, and money counters.
“The Homeland Security Task Force works alongside state and local law enforcement to safeguard our communities and stem the flow of illicit narcotics into Northeast Ohio,” said HSI Detroit Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “I am proud of the HSI special agents and our partners for removing these dangerous drugs from our streets and preventing further harm and loss for Ohio families.”
Across all four locations, federal authorities seized:
- 1,355.74 grams of Fentanyl
- 1,117.97 grams of Cocaine
- 2,709.16 grams of Cocaine Base (Crack)
- 5 Firearms
- More than $17,000 in U.S. Currency
Brown, Henderson, Montgomery, and Poteat were charged individually with:
- Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl
- Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Cocaine
- Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl
- Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Cocaine
If convicted, each defendant could face up to life in jail. A federal district court judge will impose a sentence after examining the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory circumstances.
The lawsuit is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) project launched under Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People from Invasion.
The HSTF is a government-wide effort to combat criminal cartels, international gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and overseas. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full resources of US law enforcement to identify, investigate, and prosecute the full range of crimes perpetrated by terrorist organizations, which have long fostered violence and instability within our borders. The HSTF maintains a specific priority on investigating and punishing those involved in child trafficking and other child-related offenses.
The HSTF also uses all available means to prosecute and deport the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Cleveland is made up of agents and officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, and the United States Border Patrol Air and Marine Operations. This investigation involved local and regional agencies such as the Cleveland Division of Police, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Heights Police Department, Westlake Police Department, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory worked together to analyze the evidence.
Marc D. Bullard and Scott Zarzycki, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Northern District of Ohio, are leading the prosecution.
A criminal complaint is simply an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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