ZANESVILLE, Ohio — Two men have been convicted in what prosecutors described as a large-scale prison drug smuggling and money laundering operation that spanned multiple Ohio correctional institutions.
A Muskingum County jury found Norman V. Whiteside, 71, of Columbus, and Justin A. Alexander, 46, of Zanesville, guilty after a two-week trial in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court.
Both men were convicted of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, drug trafficking, illegal conveyance of drugs into a detention facility and money laundering.
Alexander also was convicted of trafficking in methamphetamine and cocaine, conspiracy to manufacture drugs, multiple counts of illegal conveyance, 40 counts of money laundering, and trafficking and possession of Schedule I synthetic drugs known as Pinaca and Butinaca.
Prosecutors said Alexander orchestrated a statewide smuggling network from inside prison. Investigators testified that drugs were brought into correctional facilities through various methods, including paper soaked with narcotics, drones and concealed materials. Evidence at trial showed that drug-soaked paper, known in prison as toon, was cut into small portions for sale to inmates…