Home / Crime and Justice / Massive Cocaine Ring Busted, $17M Seized
Massive Cocaine Ring Busted, $17M Seized
25 Sep
Summary
- Ten individuals indicted in a major drug trafficking operation.
- Over $17 million worth of cocaine was seized.
- The organization distributed millions in cocaine monthly in Philadelphia.
Ten individuals have been indicted in connection with a significant drug trafficking organization that operated in Philadelphia. U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictments and the seizure of $17 million worth of cocaine. The organization allegedly partnered with a Mexican cartel to transport over 300 kilos of cocaine from Mexico to Philadelphia.
The indictment reveals the group was distributing an estimated $5 million to $10 million in cocaine monthly within the Philadelphia area. Gregory Jones of Philadelphia and Edward Basley of Wayne, Pennsylvania, have been identified as the leaders of this operation. Five defendants were arrested recently, while the other five were already in custody.
Notably, Gregory Jones, one of the alleged leaders, had his prison sentence commuted by then-President Joe Biden in April 2022. Jones was originally sentenced to 18 years for drug offenses. The investigation was a joint effort involving the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department, operating under the Homeland Security Task Force initiative.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel praised the collaboration between local and federal law enforcement, emphasizing the detrimental impact of such large-scale drug operations on communities. He expressed pride in the Philadelphia officers involved in the task force for their work alongside federal partners.
