Loaded gun and crack cocaine found in late-night Cambridge traffic stop

Cambridge, MD — A traffic stop for an equipment violation turned into a major bust late Wednesday night after Cambridge detectives found a loaded handgun and crack cocaine inside a vehicle on Race Street.

At approximately 10:28 p.m., detectives with the Cambridge Police Department’s P.A.C.E. Unit conducted a stop at Race Street and Elm Street. A K9 unit was called to the scene and conducted a sniff of the vehicle, which resulted in a positive alert for controlled dangerous substances (CDS).

Before officers searched the car, a back seat passenger, identified as Devonte Lamar Carter, 33, of Cambridge, informed police there was a firearm and CDS in the vehicle. He was immediately detained.

The driver, later identified as Richard Donald Blake, 69, also of Cambridge, was observed placing his hands in his pockets during the stop. Officers detained him as well and located CDS paraphernalia consistent with crack cocaine use.

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded .32 caliber Beretta handgun and a quantity of crack cocaine. Blake was issued criminal citations and released from the scene.

Carter, who has previous felony convictions, was found to be prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. He was transported to the Cambridge Police Department and later held at the Dorchester County Department of Corrections on a $10,000 bond.

Blake was charged with:

Driving Without a License
CDS Possession Not Cannabis
CDS Possession Paraphernalia

Carter was charged with:

CDS Possession Not Cannabis
Possession of a Firearm with a Felony Conviction
Regulated Firearm Illegal Possession
CDS Possession Firearm
Loaded Handgun in Vehicle
Handgun in Vehicle
Illegal Possession Ammunition

The weapon, drugs, and paraphernalia were seized as evidence. No injuries were reported during the stop.

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Key Points

Cambridge detectives recovered a loaded firearm and crack cocaine during a late-night stop
Passenger with felony record faces multiple handgun and CDS charges
Driver cited and released after being found with CDS paraphernalia

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Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

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Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

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