A months-long investigation into a cocaine distribution operation by the Metro Nashville Police Department led to the arrests of five people, including a hit man in a murder-for-hire scheme.
The suspected drug ring was allegedly led by Justin Dewight Jones, 29, of Nashville, who had his phone wiretapped by MNPD last November following a court order. While listening in to his conversations, police gathered information they said indicated Jones ordered several kilograms of cocaine from Everardo Cruz Gante, 25.
Last Friday, according to police, Gante drove more than $200,000 worth of cocaine to a residence at 915 W. Trinity Lane. There, police arrested Gante and allegedly found kilograms of cocaine, along with packaging materials and firearms.
While monitoring Jones’ phone conversations, detectives allege they heard him solicit a man they believed to be Ricardo Wiggins to kill convicted cocaine felon Darrius Fain, 26.
Officers arrested Wiggins on Friday morning in Bolivar, Tenn.
Jones is charged with possession of cocaine for resale, conspiracy to sell cocaine and conspiracy to commit criminal homicide and is being held in lieu of $750,000 bond.
Wiggins, 31, is charged with conspiracy to commit criminal homicide and faces $250,000 bond. Gante is charged with possessing and conspiring to sell cocaine.
Two other men, Antolin Sandoval and Marcos Dealmonte, were charged along with Gante. Sandoval is charged with cocaine conspiracy and Dealmonte faces felony marijuana and gun charges.