Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein has a message for Baltimore?s drug dealers: Quit before it?s too late.
On Thursday, the prosecutor announced that drug bosses Howard Rice, 40, and Raeshio Rice, 33, both of Baltimore, pleaded guilty U.S. District Court to racketeering and drug conspiracy charges.
“The Rice brothers lived the gangster lifestyle for a few years and now they will pay the price for the rest of their lives,” Rosenstein said.
“Other Baltimore drug dealers should stop now instead of following in Howard and Raeshio?s footsteps to federal prison. Drugs and guns always lead to misery and regret.”
Judge William Quarles Jr. sentenced Howard Rice to 30 years in federal prison. Quarles will sentence Raeshio Rice on Jan. 8.
The Rice brothers admitted to distributing large quantities of cocaine and heroin in northwest Baltimore between 1995 and 2004.
The Rice Organization also was responsible for “multiple contract murders,” prosecutors said.
With their drug money, the Rice brothers purchased jewelry, a Sea Ray boat and luxury automobiles, including a Ferrari, Bentley, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, two BMWs and several motorcycles ? all of which are being forfeited.
The Rice Organization preserved its power through retaliation against rival drug gangs with violence, prosecutors said.
