Thomas Shannon, known as Cuzzo, was sentenced in federal court in Trenton on Monday, after his conviction on charges he conspired to distribute cocaine and heroin
The U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Paul Fishman, announced a 25-year prison sentence on Monday for a Jersey City man convicted in a cross-country heroin and cocaine distribution ring. TRENTON - A Jersey City man was sentenced Monday to 25 years in federal prison after being convicted of being part of a cross-country drug ring that sold cocaine and heroin in Monmouth and Ocean counties, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul Fishman announced.
Thomas Shannon, 37, is among 22 people charged since 2014 with taking part in a coast-to-coast distribution network that sold heroin and cocaine in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
All but one of them has been convicted, with one of the leaders of the ring, Robert Britt, having been indicted earlier this month, according to Fishman's office.
When the charges were announced two years ago by state and federal authorities, then-acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni told reporters, "These defendants are responsible for delivering the heroin that has been killing people in record numbers."
Shannon, who is also known as Cuzzo, was sentenced to 300 months behind bars by Judge Peter G. Sheridan in U.S. District Court in Trenton, Fishman said.
Shannon was found guilty in May of several charges: conspiracy to distribute cocaine and more than a kilogram of heroin; possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; and engaging in a transaction involving criminally derived property.
Prosecutors say that between October 2013 and March 2014, Shannon conspired with others to distribute drugs in the two Jersey Shore counties Ocean.
With the help of another conspirator, prosecutors said Shannon received drug shipments from California at an address in Perth Amboy, then packaged the drugs at stash houses in Asbury Park and Long Branch.
Shannon's lawyer, Edward Bertucio, did not respond to a request for comment.
Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
