Duke’s Place used for fentanyl distribution, feds say

CINCINNATI — Authorities unsealed a federal indictment Tuesday against three Cincinnati men accused of conspiring to distribute fentanyl.

Derek “Duke” Ragan, 49; Anthony “Pea Head” Sanderson, 63; and Lawrence “LB” Bell, 66, face between 10 years and life in prison if convicted in the scheme. A grand jury indicted the three men on Feb. 6.

The conspirators used Duke’s Place on Oliver Street to distribute fentanyl, according to the indictment. Authorities said they conspired to collectively distribute more than 400 grams of the illegal opioid.

Agents seized more than $10,000 in cash, additional drugs and a firearm from two residences while executing search warrants in November, authorities said.

The indictment charges the men with eight counts of distributing fentanyl, one count of possessing fentanyl, one count of using a premises for drug distribution of one count charging Ragan with illegally possessing a firearm.

Police previously raided Duke’s Place in 2010, alleging that a back room

was being used for illegal gambling.

Hamilton County authorities identified Ragan as the owner at that time.