22 alleged gang members indicted in Md.

BALTIMORE, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- A U.S. grand jury has indicted 22 alleged gang members in Maryland on charges including racketeering, robbery and murder.

The 27-count indictment, announced Wednesday, alleges members of the Dead Man Inc. gang shot and killed four people and conspired to kill more, The Baltimore Sun reported.

The indictment also alleged the gang used contraband cellphones to direct activities and spread the gang into south Baltimore, eastern Baltimore County, northern Anne Arundel County and several other states

Among those charged are the alleged Dead Man Inc. co-founders, Perry Roark and James Sweeney

"On our streets, this organization has been involved in street robberies, home invasions, property thefts, intimidation, assaults -- you name it, they're involved in it," said Randall Jones Sr., an Anne Arundel County police commander. "The northern part of our county has been plagued by these individuals, and this is a major blow to this organization."

At a news conference Wednesday, U.S. Attorney for Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein said 11 defendants named in the federal indictment were in custody and authorities had to track down seven who were not in custody and are looking for the others.

Four charged are women who allegedly helped traffic crack cocaine.

"When you look at the causes of violent crime, in many cases you find a connection to gangs," Rosenstein said. "We believe the key to continuing to reduce the violent crime and murder rate here in Baltimore City and throughout the state is to target the gangs and the leaders of the gangs who are fomenting this violence."