TL/DR –
Lawrence Levon Jones, a Raleigh man allegedly involved in cross-country drug trafficking, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. Jones was accused of leading a Raleigh-based drug organization that sourced drugs from Los Angeles and Newark, with an investigation seizing nine guns, over a hundred kilos of narcotics and over $750,000. Jones has eight prior felonies, including seven drug trafficking offenses and one conviction for possession of a firearm.
Raleigh Man Sentenced for Involvement in Cross-Country Drug Trafficking
A man from Raleigh, Lawrence Levon Jones, received a 40-year prison sentence for his prominent role in a nationwide drug trafficking operation. The cross-country drug operation, based in Raleigh, reportedly sourced narcotics from Los Angeles and Newark, according to the Department of Justice.
The drug trafficking investigation led to the seizure of nine firearms, over one hundred kilos of drugs, and more than $750,000. Court records and trial evidence show that Jones frequently traveled to Los Angeles and Newark to collect money from accomplices and procure substantial amounts of cocaine and marijuana. The narcotics were then transported to Raleigh by couriers.
On July 22 last year, Texas law enforcement intercepted a courier from California, recovering 400 pounds of marijuana and three kilos of cocaine from a disguised compartment in a truck that resembled a lumber stack. The same day, Jones was apprehended at his Raleigh stash house, where authorities discovered cocaine, crack, marijuana, ecstasy pills, handguns, over $99,000 in cash, and drug pressing equipment.
Further searches at properties affiliated with Jones’ organization in Raleigh and California, over the next two days, led to the seizure of more firearms, over $757,000, and additional narcotics. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley commended the collaborative efforts with Raleigh Police in using federal resources to dismantle drug-trafficking networks affecting Raleigh.
Jones has a criminal history spanning eight prior felonies, including seven drug trafficking offenses and one firearm possession conviction as a felon.
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