Thirty-Eight Defendants Sentenced in Massive Prison-Based Drug Trafficking Ring
February 12, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Department of Justice announced the sentencing of thirty-eight defendants in a massive prison-based drug trafficking ring that operated within the federal prison system. The defendants were sentenced to a combined total of over 1,000 years in prison.
The ring was led by two inmates at the United States Penitentiary, Florence ADX (ADX), in Colorado. The inmates used contraband cell phones to communicate with co-conspirators outside the prison, who smuggled drugs and other contraband into the facility. The drugs were then distributed to other inmates within ADX and other federal prisons.
The investigation into the ring began in 2021, when the FBI received information about inmates at ADX using contraband cell phones to communicate with outside individuals. The FBI’s investigation revealed that the inmates were using the cell phones to coordinate the smuggling of drugs and other contraband into the prison, as well as to communicate with co-conspirators outside the prison who were involved in the distribution of the drugs.
The investigation also revealed that the ring had ties to other criminal organizations outside the prison system. The FBI worked with other law enforcement agencies to identify and arrest the co-conspirators outside the prison, who were involved in the smuggling and distribution of the drugs.
In addition to the thirty-eight defendants who were sentenced today, thirteen other defendants pleaded guilty to charges related to the ring and are awaiting sentencing.
“This investigation and prosecution has dealt a major blow to a significant drug trafficking ring that was operating within the federal prison system,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “The defendants in this case used contraband cell phones to communicate with co-conspirators outside the prison, who smuggled drugs and other contraband into the facility. This activity posed a serious threat to the safety and security of the federal prison system, and we are committed to holding those responsible accountable.”
“The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute drug trafficking organizations that operate within the federal prison system,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “These organizations pose a serious threat to the safety and security of our prisons, and we will continue to use all of our resources to combat them.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Denver Field Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Prisons. The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.
Thirty-Eight Defendants Sentenced in Massive Prison-Based Drug Trafficking Ring
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