Bail was set at $80,000 for the accused ringleader of a drug distribution gang during a more than two-hour hearing in which 18 suspects arrested in an early-morning drug raid last week appeared in court.

Justice Court Judge Jeff Crevitt set bail for James “Blue” Jones, 40, 302 Bayou Blvd at $80,000. Jones, who is charged with sale of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, was initially reported in jail records as being 20.

“It is believed by the state Mr. Jones was not only a part of the conspiracy, but the leader of the conspiracy,” District Attorney Ricky Smith said as he asked for Crevitt to set bail at $100,000.

Michael Winfield, who is representing Jones, said he deserved a lower bail.

“He’s just like everybody else up here. He’s been sitting in jail for five days without bond,” Winfield said.

Crevitt declined to set bail for seven other suspects with prior criminal records. Those include:

• Andre Allen, 42, 253 Feld Street, who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and sale of a controlled substance.

Allen is a twice-convicted felon. He was convicted of robbery in 1990 and simple assault of a law enforcement officer in 1992. Allen is also a suspect in an aggravated assault case set to be presented to the May 2015 term of the grand jury. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison, Smith said.

In his most recent arrest, Allen is accused of selling 25 grams of cocaine on Nov. 10 and conspiring to distribute drugs between Nov. 20 and Dec. 20.

• Myron Henderson, 30, 1013 Washington Ave., Crystal Springs who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Henderson was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in 2010. Henderson had been wanted since November 2012 when he failed to appear for arraignment after being indicted for possession of a controlled substance. In the most recent arrest, Henderson is accused of selling 2 ounces of marijuana on Aug. 19.

Henderson told Crevitt there was no way he could have could have committed the crime.

“I just got out of prison,” he said. “I’ve got no charge.”

• Jeremiah H. Rose, 20, 113 Galleny St. who is accused of possession of crack cocaine. Rose was not a target in the investigation but was discovered with 5 grams of crack cocaine when police raided one of the target homes, Smith said. He is under indictment for possession of a stolen firearm.

“The state constitution prevents me from setting bond for you,” Crevitt told Rose.

• Antonia “Mane-Mane” Thomas, 32, 610 Martin St.; who is charged with sale of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. He is accused of selling 25 grams of cocaine Nov. 10 and was out of jail on bail multiple counts of shooting into a dwelling and occupied vehicle.

• Derrick “DT” Thomas, 35, 805 Fourth North St. who is charged with sale, possession and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Thomas is a twice-convicted felon. He was convicted of sale of cocaine in 2011 and armed robbery and aggravated assault in 1999. In his latest arrest he is accused of selling 25.5 grams of cocaine June 21, 2014, possession of 2 ounces of crack cocaine Friday during his arrest and conspiracy to distribute drugs. If convicted, he faces life up to life in prison.

“He is a violent habitual offender,” Smith said.

• Tony Wash, 30, 1733 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance between March 22 and April 22.  Wash is on federal probation, Smith said.

• Jamaal Williams, 23, 402 Locust St., who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Williams was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in 2014. Williams was out on bail on a second controlled substance charge at the time of his arrest. He is held without bail awaiting a probation revocation hearing.

• Keith Wilson, 32, 1820 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Wilson was convicted of sale of a controlled substance in 2011, and is currently on probation or parole, Smith said.

Others who appeared Tuesday, including their charges and bail amounts were:

• Tennesha Burns, 23, 1900 Baldwin Ferry Road, Apt. 9H, who is charged with sale of a controlled substance. Burns is accused of selling 1 gram of cocaine. Her bail was set at $30,000.

• Brandon Carr, 36, 204 Brookwood Drive, who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance between March 22 and April 22. Bail was set at $30,000.

• Purell Evans, 37, 1214 W. Magnolia St., who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance between March 22 and April 22. His bail was set at $30,000.

• Xavier Floyd, 24, 1900 Baldwin Ferry Road, Apt. 9H, who is charged with sale of a controlled substance. Floyd is accused of selling 1.6 grams of cocaine Oct. 23, 2014. His bail was set at $30,000.

• Demetrice Harris, 27, 110 Eastover Ave., Apt. 2402, who is charged with sale of a controlled substance. Harris is accused of selling 2 ounces of marijuana Aug. 19. Her bail was set at $25,000.

• Kimberly Harris, 34, 805 Fourth North St., who is charged with sale and possession of a controlled substance. She is accused of selling 25.5 grams of cocaine and having 2 ounces of crack during her arrest. Bail was set at $50,000.

• Vick Hudson, 42, 6321 Franklin D. Roosevelt St., Jackson, who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Bail was set at $40,000.

• Kourtney Wallace, 32, 323 Bayou Blvd., who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Bail was set at $30,000.

• Keith Walker, 36, 685 Redbone Road, Apt. B; conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.  Bail was set at $30,000.

“With eight of the defendants getting no bond and the remaining 10 defendants receiving bonds that ranged from $25,000 to $80,000, this should send a strong message to the community that the sale of drugs will not be tolerated. Some of these defendants could face up to life in prison based on their past criminal activity,” Vicksburg Police Chief Walter Armstrong said.

Three additional arrests are expected, he said.

More than 70 people attended the hearing Tuesday, which was moved from Warren County Justice Court into the Circuit Courtroom on the second floor of the Warren County Courthouse.