NORFOLK, Va. — The leader of a family-run heroin trafficking ring was sentenced to 22 years in prison on Wednesday.
45-year-old Malcolm D. Jones Senior of Portsmouth was convicted of conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; and for distributing heroin, fentanyl, and Acetyl fentanyl.
Jones was arrested last year as a part of Operation High Tide, a large-scale investigation into drug and gun trafficking in Hampton Roads that was carried out by over 100 law enforcement agents.
According to court documents, Jones was the leader and patriarch of a heroin trafficking ring that operated out of Portsmouth with at least three drug properties. Jones had family members manage the drug trafficking efforts and stockpile firearms to protect their drug trade until their operation was shut down in September of 2019.
Jones pleaded guilty in December.