The 29-month drug distribution conspiracy involved cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and methylone.
A Bayonne resident was one of two men sentenced yesterday to more than 18 years in prison for their roles in a 29-month drug distribution conspiracy that involved cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and methylone, authorities said.Â
Christopher Castelluzzo, 31, of Bayonne, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Luke Atwell, 34, of Hamilton, was handed down a 220-month sentence, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson, both Castelluzzo and Atwell were convicted of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute cocaine, MDMA, marijuana, and the designer drug, methylone. Wolfson imposed the sentences yesterday in Trenton federal court.Â
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted an investigation in March 2013 that resulted in the seizure of more than six kilograms of methylone at an East Orange drug mill that was tied to Atwell and Castelluzzo, according to documents filed in the case and evidence presented at trial.
About a month later, federal agents seized 2.9 kilograms of methylone that Atwell intended to pick up at the Manville Post Office. Agents replaced the package with a dummy package, which Atwell picked up and took into a car with Castelluzzo inside, authorities said.
Following the arrest of both defendants outside the post office, agents searched various electronic devices of the defendants and uncovered email communications establishing a drug distribution conspiracy dating back to 2010, Fishman's office stated.Â
In addition to the prison terms, Wolfson sentenced both Atwell and Castelluzzo to three years of supervised release.
Both men were also recently charged with running an elaborate online drug ring broken up by investigators who additionally uncovered a murder plot and seized $1.2 million in cash. Indictments have been brought against 15 men accused of drug offenses and other charges.Â
Castelluzzo has five previous convictions dating back to 2008, for theft by deception and drugs and weapons offenses, according to court records.Â
Fishman credited special agents of the Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Terence S. Opiola, and special agents of New Jersey Division of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski, for the investigation.
Castelluzzo was represented by Dawn M. Florio of New York, while Atwell was represented by Pasquale F. Giannetta of Wayne.