‘Apex Suppliers’: 10 Charged in Philadelphia Ring Accused of Moving $5–10 Million a Month in Mexican-Cartel Cocaine
Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia say a local drug ring moved an estimated $5 million to $10 million worth of cocaine onto the city’s streets every month, supplied by a cartel in Mexico. Ten people have been charged in the case, according to reports published September 23, 2026, by The Philadelphia Inquirer, 6abc, FOX 29 and Patch. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf called the alleged leaders “apex suppliers,” the Inquirer reported.
The accused leaders
Prosecutors call the group the Jones-Basley Drug Trafficking Organization. It is named for its alleged leaders, Gregory “Smallz” Jones, 48, of Philadelphia, and Edward “Beeb” Basley, 47, of Wayne, the Inquirer and 6abc reported. The Inquirer also named Orenthial “D” Bailey, 50, and described him as a driver. FOX 29 reported that the other defendants come from Philadelphia, Cheltenham, Temple, Texas, and Manassas, Virginia.
According to Patch, prosecutors say Jones and Basley worked with the cartel to bring cocaine up from Mexico. Both men had earlier federal drug cases, and their sentences were reduced before they were charged again. None of the four outlets named the cartel involved.
Seizures and arrests
Investigators seized more than $8 million worth of cocaine and several firearms in the Philadelphia area, and about $17 million worth over the whole investigation, according to 6abc and FOX 29. Both outlets said the alleged activity ran from 2024 to 2026. In one seizure in May, Tennessee authorities stopped a shipment of 89 kilograms (about 200 pounds), according to the Inquirer and 6abc. Patch quoted Metcalf: “Literal truckloads of cocaine have been seized as a result of this case and kept from flooding our city.”
Five defendants were arrested Tuesday and the other five were already in state or federal custody, 6abc reported. FOX 29 said the case was worked under the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, co-led by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations with help from the DEA, ATF and U.S. Marshals. The Philadelphia Police Department also took part. FOX 29 quoted Metcalf as saying more arrests are coming.
The charges
The defendants face charges including conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute, according to FOX 29. The station reported that Jones also faces a charge of distributing near an elementary school and Basley faces additional firearm charges. The top penalty is life in prison. These are allegations in an indictment. None of the defendants has been convicted, and each is presumed innocent.
Sources
- The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept. 23, 2026
- 6abc Philadelphia, Sept. 23, 2026
- FOX 29 Philadelphia, Sept. 23, 2026
- Patch Philadelphia, Sept. 23, 2026
Reported September 23, 2026, from the news reports listed above. The Mexican cartel involved has not been publicly named, and the court filings were not reviewed directly.