Senior Member Of Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted For Conspiring To Sell Heroin In New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against a senior member of a large-scale drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin in Ocean and Monmouth Counties and elsewhere in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Robert Britt, 44, a/k/a “True,” of Asbury Park, New Jersey, is charged in a one-count indictment with conspiracy to distribute one hundred grams or more of heroin.

According to documents filed in this case:

Between July 2010 and March 2014, Britt conspired with others to distribute heroin in Ocean and Monmouth counties. In furtherance of the conspiracy, Britt used various hotel rooms and apartments to store, process, and package heroin for distribution to others.  Britt and others also used numerous cellular telephones and coded language to discuss drug transactions, including requests for specific types and quantities of narcotics.

In April 2013, prior to beginning a term of incarceration, Britt transferred the day-to-day operations and certain heroin customers to Rufus Young, 43, a/k/a “Equan,” a/k/a “E-Money,” a/k/a “Kintock,” of Asbury Park.

Even while in prison, Britt maintained a hands-on role in the heroin distribution business. Britt spoke with Young using a concealed contraband cell phone that Britt maintained in violation of prison rules and regulations.  During those conversations, Britt instructed Young on how to operate their drug business, including methods for developing new heroin customers, avoiding detection by law enforcement, and identifying new suppliers.

Between March and May 2014, 21 other members of the drug trafficking organization, all of whom have since been convicted, 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 two leading members.

On May 25, 2016, a federal jury convicted Thomas Shannon, a major supplier of narcotics to the Britt-Young DTO, of various offenses relating to the conspiracy.  

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, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Grippo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark and Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Brendan Day of the Criminal Division in Trenton.

Defense Counsel: Alyssa A. Cimino, Esq., Fairfield, New Jersey