DRUG KINGPIN PLEADS GUILTY, GETS 20 YEARS

A Baltimore man described as "a major player" in the city's heroin trade
pleaded guilty to being a drug kingpin yesterday in Baltimore Circuit
Court, nearly two years after he was the subject of a wiretap investigation.

Prosecutors said Frank Eubanks Jr., 33, was directing the sale of as much
as $150,000 worth of heroin in Baltimore a week.

Eubanks, of the 600 block of N. Woodington Road, was sentenced to 20 years
in prison without parole by Judge John N. Prevas.

He was selling "wholesale quantities" of heroin from places such as New
York to other street dealers in the city, said Assistant State's Attorney
Antonio Gioia, one of several prosecutors in the case.

"Eubanks fit to a T the definition of a drug kingpin," Gioia said. "He
controlled and supervised a large and powerful drug organization."

One of his partners and an alleged supplier also pleaded guilty yesterday
to being part of the organization.

The alleged supplier, Ralph Slowe Jr., 31, of the 4900 block of Aberdeen
Ave., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and possession with
intent to distribute it.

Eubanks' partner, Hubert Benston, 31, of the 2200 block of E. North Ave.,
also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Both will be sentenced June 30 to no more than 10 years in prison for their
pleas.

The three men were the subject of a wiretap investigation conducted by
Baltimore police and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
Investigators heard the men refer to grams of heroin as "tickets" and
"T-shirts," Gioia said.

"In one conversation, they were boasting about quality of their Oriole
tickets," he said.

Eleven other defendants associated with the organization previously pleaded
guilty to charges, including conspiracy to distribute heroin.