Stop talking to these people. You don't have to. No good can come from doing so. If you want to talk to them, do it through a criminal defense attorney who can arrange for you to get something in exchange for talking (immunity, reduced sentence, etc.).
Change your phone number and make the new one unlisted. It will cost you like $25.
If they really want to get in touch with you, they can (1) get a court order for your new phone number; (2) send a certified letter or (3) come visit. If they do any of the three, then get a lawyer and don't say a thing to anyone but the lawyer.
In fact, don't say a thing to anyone anyway. Just as your friend might get leaned on to testify against the distributor, some of your friend's bros might get leaned on to testify against him. STFU.
This has the potential to fade away and it also has the potential to land your friend in prison. Don't say a thing to anyone but an attorney.
And no, I think it would be absolutely foolish to engage in illegal activities for the foreseeable future.