The FBI seized “literal truckloads of cocaine” in a the bust of a Philadelphia drug trafficking ring that led to 10 indictments.
The FBI announced the indictment of 10 people allegedly involved in the “prolific” cocaine trafficking ring in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at a press conference on Wednesday, September 23rd.
According to CBS, 48-year-old Gregory Jones, aka “Smallz,” of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 47-year-old Edward Basley, aka “Beeb,” of Wayne, Pennsylvania, are the two suspected leaders of the drug trafficking ring. Eight other members of the drug trafficking group were also charged: 54-year-old Shawn Bell of Cheltenham; 50-year-old Orenthial Bailey of Temple, Texas; 38-year-old Eduard Amador of Manassas, Virginia; and 46-year-old Jabari Savage; 43-year-old Renard Brown; 52-year-old Jermaine Singleton;48-year-old Farid Haddad; and 43-year-old David McField, all of Philadelphia.
Nearly all of the named members were previously convicted of drug trafficking charges in the 2000s, but were given reduced sentences. All members are currently facing possible life sentences.
The alleged trafficking ring operated in Philadelphia between 2024 and 2026. More than $17 million worth of cocaine was seized over the course of the investigation – $8 million of that contraband was found in Philadelphia alone. The organization is believed to have moved between $5 and $10 million worth of cocaine from the Texas-Mexico border to Pennsylvania in semi trucks every single month. The organization is believed to have maintained direct contact with the Mexican cartel.
“These are apex suppliers,” David Metcalf, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, said. “Literal truckloads of cocaine have been seized as a result of this case and kept from flooding our city.”
The investigation is ongoing.
“While today marks an important step, our work here does not end,” FBI Philadelphia official Wayne Jacobs said to 6ABC.
