Another Member Of Massive Ocean-Monmouth Heroin Trafficking Ring Convicted

Another member of the Britt-Young drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin and cocaine in Ocean and Monmouth counties has been convicted for his role in the group, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.

Thomas Shannon, aka “Cuzzo,” 37, was convicted on four counts of an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and more than a kilogram of heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction in criminally derived property by a federal jury in Trenton. 

Shannon was convicted following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan; the jury deliberated for three hours before returning the verdict.

Between March and May 2014, 21 other individuals, including numerous alleged members of the drug trafficking organization to which Shannon supplied narcotics, were charged in two separate criminal complaints with conspiring to distribute heroin and other related offenses. The complaint referred to the drug trafficking organization as the “Britt-Young DTO,” after its leaders, Robert Britt, aka “True,” and Rufus Young, aka “Equan,” “E-Money,” or “Kintock.”  Of the 22 individuals charged, 21 have been convicted to date. 

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence presented at trial:

Between October 2013 and March 2014, Shannon conspired with others to distribute heroin and cocaine in Ocean and Monmouth counties, including to the Britt-Young DTO. Shannon obtained some of his narcotics from conspirators in California, who shipped packages containing large quantities of heroin and cocaine from California to Shannon in New Jersey. The packages were sent to a residence in Perth Amboy and received by another conspirator, who then gave the packages to Shannon. Shannon then transported the narcotics to stash house locations that he controlled in Asbury Park and Long Branch where he packaged the heroin and cocaine and prepared it for distribution to other dealers. Shannon packaged some of the heroin in small plastic bags that were “stamped” with brand names or markings to distinguish it from other narcotics sold in or around the Monmouth County area.

To pay for the drug shipments, Shannon and others acting at his direction deposited cash into numerous third-party bank accounts provided by the conspirators in California, who then withdrew the cash at bank branch locations in California.

Shannon used numerous cellular telephones to communicate with his conspirators, including through text messages, and he and his conspirators often spoke in code to disguise the illegal nature of their communications. For example, Shannon and a leader of the Britt-Young DTO referred to cocaine as “Kristine.” Shannon also acquired and possessed firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, including a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver and a Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. .40 caliber handgun.     

The conspiracy count carries a minimum potential penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. The possession of controlled substances count with which Shannon is charged carries a minimum potential penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense count carries a minimum potential penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison, which must be served consecutive to any sentence imposed in connection with the underlying drug trafficking offenses. The engaging in a monetary transaction in criminally derived property count carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 30, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, Red Bank Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark; officers of the Brick Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Riccio: and officers of the Toms River Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mitchell A. Little, with the investigation leading to the verdict.

He also thanked special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George P. Belsky; inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Cynthia Shoffner; officers of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni; and officers of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Joseph D Coronato. He also thanked the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and the Neptune Township, Asbury Park, Marlboro, and Long Branch police departments for their roles in the case.

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