Desmond Jones, Cocaine Possession, Maryland 2023

Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing 75 Kilograms of Cocaine

Baltimore, Maryland – Desmond Jones, 45, of Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances on August 24, 2023.

The guilty plea was announced by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, and other law enforcement officials. Jones was caught after investigators learned that he was a member of a Baltimore-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) in August 2023.

According to the guilty plea, multiple federal agencies partnered to investigate the DTO. Investigators identified Jones through his connection with Co-Conspirator 1 (CC-1), a California resident and DTO member, who was being surveilled by law enforcement at his Baltimore City residence.

Between August 15 and August 24, investigators observed numerous drug traffickers, including Jones, meet CC-1 with bags at the Baltimore City residence. On August 16, Jones visited the residence and met CC-1 with a weighted-down bag, which was later found to contain a large quantity of cocaine.

On August 30, investigators set up a surveillance team at Baltimore Washington International Airport, where they observed CC-1 arrive and then drive to his Baltimore City residence. Jones was also surveilled as he left the Timonium, Maryland, stash location in his Dodge Ram, where they found 32 individual kilogram packages of cocaine.

When Jones and CC-1 were detained by law enforcement, they were found to be in possession of the duffle bags, which contained the cocaine. Investigators also discovered equipment used to process bulk drugs, including a kilo press, cutting agents, quick cappers, digital scales, and sifters.

Desmond Jones, 45, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances on August 24, 2023. He faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.

Related Federal Cases