Alleged co-leader of shore heroin ring indicted

TRENTON - The Asbury Park man identified by investigators as a main cog in a heroin distribution machine that pumped the drug throughout Ocean and Monmouth Counties for almost four years awaits trial on a federal conspiracy charge.

Robert "True" Britt, 44, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute one hundred grams or more of heroin, according to the office of New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

Prosecutors contend that between July 2010 and March 2014, Britt and others used apartments and hotel rooms to store, treat and package the drugs for distribution, communicating in code on numerous mobile devices.

Britt continued to run the operation from behind bars, authorities said, handing over daily management to Rufus Young, 43, of Asbury Park. Young's aliases include "Equan," "E-Money" and "Kintock."

Britt maintained contact and control through a hidden contraband cell phone, giving Young instructions regarding development of new users, identification of new suppliers, and remaining off law enforcement radar, investigators said.

Twenty-one others connected to what investigators termed the Britt-Young DTO (drug trafficking organization) were charged between March and May 2014, and have taken guilty pleas.

In May 2016, Thomas Shannon was convicted, characterized by prosecutors as a major supplier of narcotics for the organization.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.