Details are still coming in with regards to a sweeping series of raids targeting Baltimore gang members, but we just got word that once again there is a connection to prison cell phones. The state prison system sent out a news released just a few minutes ago with this detail:

Today's indictment alleges that monitored cell phone conversations indicated that Bloods members were attempting to send money from street drug deals to imprisoned gang members to help them pay attorney fees and buy minutes for cell phones smuggled into the prisons. A contraband smuggling plan was also discussed.

Just two weeks ago, Division of Correction (DOC) intelligence officers teamed with law enforcement to use an inmate's modified cell phone in prison to connect two people to a 2008 murder in Baltimore City, and to record conversations implicating at least five other violent criminals who are believed to have committed a dozen other killings.

Calling that project "Operation Dial a Cell," federal prosecutors hailed DOC and DPSCS' work as "bold and creative undercover investigating" and say more charges are likely. In addition to the two people indicted on the Baltimore home invasion and murder, federal authorities say five other violent criminals responsible for at least 12 murders, have also been identified thanks to the cell phone recording effort.

Operation "Dial a Cell" refers to an initiative in which cops gave an imprisoned informant a cell phone that allowed him to record conversations of people he was talking to, and conversations of people around him. It to two arrests in several shootings and murders. That came weeks after another raid showed that imprisoned gang members were using smuggled cell phones to order lobster and champagne.