A Baltimore man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of 75 kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Maryland.
U.S. Attorney for Maryland Kelly Hayes announced the plea Thursday along with Drug Enforcement Administration special agent Evan Campanella. Desmond Jones, 45, could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
According to the guilty plea, federal agencies partnered for an investigation into a Baltimore drug trafficking organization distributing cocaine. Investigators learned that Jones was a member of the drug trafficking organization in August 2023 after identifying him through a co-conspirator and surveillance. The case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation, which identifies and dismantles high-level drug trafficking and other criminal enterprises.
Investigators surveilled the co-conspirator at his Baltimore home for nine days in August 2023, where they saw Jones and others participating in drug trafficking activities. The co-conspirator was seen driving bulk currency to a bank, and Jones was seen meeting the co-conspirator with weighted-down bags.
Jones left the co-conspirator’s house with the same bag, but reduced in size. The co-conspirator then left Baltimore. Investigators concluded that Jones gave the co-conspirator money to pay for an upcoming shipment of drugs.
In August 2023, the co-conspirator traveled from California to Baltimore before renting a car and driving to his Baltimore home from Baltimore-Washington International Airport while investigators surveilled them. Investigators also surveilled Jones’ stash spot for drugs in Timonium.
Jones and the co-conspirator drove to the co-conspirator’s house after they met at Jones’ stash location. After driving to National Harbor and parking, the co-conspirator met with another co-conspirator before getting back in Jones’ truck. The two drove back to the stash location while being trailed by co-conspirators.
Investigators approached Jones and the co-conspirator after they exited the Dodge Ram, observing kilogram packages of cocaine through a tear in one of the duffel bags Jones was unloading. The duffel bags were seized, and Jones, his co-conspirator and another person at the stash location were detained.
Another duffel bag and a backpack with 32 kilograms of cocaine total were recovered in the stash location, along with a kilo press, substances for cutting the drugs, quick cappers, digital scales and sifters. Marijuana, cash, a money counter and two firearms also were recovered.
Jones’ sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18.
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