St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested a Lexington Park man Friday morning following the execution of multiple search warrants at a residence in the 46000 block of Radford Lane.
Laroi James Burch, 35, of Lexington Park, was taken into custody during the early morning hours of May 8 after an investigation into suspected drug activity. Detectives recovered suspected cocaine, suspected crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, approximately $400 in U.S. currency, a Polymer80 handgun without a serial number and a magazine containing 9mm ammunition.
Burch faces a series of serious charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm without the required serial number, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony, possession of ammunition after being prohibited, knowingly possessing a firearm after being convicted of a disqualifying crime, two counts of possession with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a firearm with a nexus to a drug trafficking crime.
He was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, where he is being held without bond.
The arrest is the latest in ongoing efforts by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division to address illegal drug activity and firearms violations in the county. Lexington Park, a community of roughly 12,000 residents in northern St. Mary’s County, is home to Naval Air Station Patuxent River and has seen increased law enforcement focus on drug-related crime in recent years. The area’s proximity to major roadways and its mix of residential and commercial development make it a target for drug distribution networks.
The Polymer80 handgun recovered is commonly known as a “ghost gun” because it lacks a manufacturer’s serial number, making it difficult to trace. Maryland law prohibits the possession of such firearms, and charges related to ghost guns have become more common as law enforcement works to curb the flow of untraceable weapons into the state.
The sheriff’s office has not released additional details about the investigation or any potential connections to larger drug operations. The case remains active, and further charges are possible.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division led the operation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.
This arrest comes amid broader regional efforts to combat the combination of illegal firearms and drug trafficking in Southern Maryland. Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties have all reported increased incidents involving guns and narcotics in recent months, prompting enhanced collaboration between local law enforcement agencies.
The St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown houses individuals awaiting trial or serving short sentences. Burch’s no-bond status reflects the severity of the charges.
