Drug Distribution Bust Leaves Prince George's County Man to Forfeit $108 Million

A Prince George’s County man will go to prison and forfeit millions for cocaine related charges, according to federal prosecutors.

Ishmael Ford-Bey, 40, of Mitchellville pleaded guilty on Tuesday to nine counts of conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, using a phone to facilitate drug distribution, and money laundering.

Court records show that Ford-Bey conspired to distributed cocaine in Maryland and other areas between at least January 2011 to August 2013.

As a part of his guilty plea, Ford-Bey has agreed to spend at least 20 years in prison as well as give up $108 million worth of cash, jewelry and luxury cars.

After the Texas Department of Public Safety found a refrigerated box truck with 13 boxes each with about 10 kilograms of cocaine on Aug. 15, 2012, federal investigators set up a controlled delivery of the boxes in Marlow Heights two days later. When Ford-Bey retrieved the drugs and loaded them into his vehicle along with another person, officers pursued them. Ford-Bey ran away, abandoning the cocaine, cell phones, and other evidence, on I-495.

After authorities tracked him to his residence, Ford-Bey fled again. Phone wiretaps and a search warrant provided more evidence of conspiracy and distribution intent. He was arrested on Aug. 16, 2013 during a traffic stop when his girlfriend was driving.

Ford-Bey will be sentenced 10 a.m. March 5 and is facing 20 years to life in prison.

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