The defendant accused of pumping massive amounts of heroin and cocaine to the notorious Britt-Young Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), which blanketed Ocean and Monmouth Counties, might spend decades in prison when he is sentenced in August.

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Thomas "Cuzzo" Shannon, 37, of Jersey City, was convicted in a Trenton federal court room on four charges. The jury deliberated for three hours, according to information from the office of New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman.

Of the 22 arrestees originally rounded up in 2014, 21 have been convicted to date.

Prosecutors contended that between October 2013 and March 2014, Shannon took part in an operation to funnel the drugs to networks, including Britt-Young, in Ocean and Monmouth.

Supplies from California arrived at a house in Perth Amboy, which Shannon brought to stash houses in Asbury Park and Long Branch for packaging and distribution.

Shannon and others paid for the shipments by depositing money into third-party bank accounts in California, investigators said.

Communication was conducted on multiple cell phones, including texts, usually in code, authorities said. Shannon was also accused of obtaining a Smith and Wesson .38-caliber revolver and a Sturn, Ruger .40-caliber handgun.

The count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and more than one kilogram of heroin carries a possible prison term of 10 years to life, plus a fine of up to $10,000,000.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine is punishable by five to 40 years, and a fine as high as $5,000,000.

Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime can mean five years to life, and must be served consecutively alongside any underlying charges.

Engaging in a monetary transaction in criminally-derived property carries a possible 10-year sentence and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Grippo and Brendan Day of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Trenton conducted the prosecution. Eatontown attorney Edward Bertuccio handled Shannon's defense.

 

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