Heroin, Cocaine Network Busted

New Jersey residents make up the bulk of 21 alleged members and suppliers charged in connection with a large-scale drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin and cocaine in Monmouth and Ocean counties. 

Robert Britt, also known as "True," and Rufus Young, also known as "E-Money," "Equan," and "Kintock," both of Asbury Park, were the alleged leaders of the conspiracy. Britt had already been incarcerated since April 2013.

According to the federal criminal complaints, law enforcement used authorized cell phone tapping, confidential informants and other means to determine Britt and Young were responsible for identifying sources of heroin supply and overseeing distributors and other conspirators who sold, packaged and stored the drugs.

One of their heroin sources was Thomas Shannon of Asbury Park, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Shannon allegedly retrieved drug packages from the Perth Amboy residence of Rashawn Ramos, and he controlled stash houses in Asbury Park and Long Branch.

"Shannon deposited cash from his narcotics sales into various third-party 'straw' bank accounts," the office indicated, noting funds were withdrawn at bank locations in California.

On March 20, drugs, firearms and paraphernalia were seized at Shannon's stash houses, officials said.