United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury indicted Steven Bell, along with 19 other defendants, for charges that include conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in a large-scale nationwide drug ring. The group transported and distributed illegal narcotics in numerous states to include California, Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky and Texas.

The indictment alleges that Bell possessed 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and also possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, though he had been previously convicted of crimes that prohibited possession of weapons.

Beginning in February 2021, Bell and others were involved in the distribution of controlled substances. The indictment alleges Darius M. McCullum of California was the primary source of supply for the organization. The drug trafficking organization used various means to transport illegal narcotics and or bulk cash, to include the mail and the use of “mules” or couriers. Agents identified several “stash” houses in numerous cities, to include Detroit; Lexington, Kentucky; and St. Louis.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.