2 New Jersey men in drug distribution conspiracy each sentenced to more than 18 years in prison

NEWARK, N.J. — Two New Jersey men who were partners in a 29-month drug distribution conspiracy involving cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and methylone each received 18 years in federal prison Tuesday follwoing an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

Christopher Castelluzzo, 31, of Bayonne, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 240 months in prison. Luke Atwell, 34, of Hamilton, New Jersey, was sentenced yesterday to 220 months in prison. Both defendants were convicted of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute methylone, cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana following a two-week trial in Trenton federal court. 

Trial documents revealed the following:

Atwell and Castelluzzo were partners in a drug dealing conspiracy that spanned 29 months. In March 2013, the DEA conducted an investigation resulting in the seizure of more than six kilograms of methylone at a drug mill in East Orange, New Jersey, that was tied to Atwell and Castelluzzo.

In April 2013, HSI special agents seized 2.9 kilograms of methylone that Atwell intended to pick up at the Manville, New Jersey, post office. Agents replaced the package with a dummy package, which Atwell picked up and placed in the car he occupied with Castelluzzo. Following the arrest of both defendants outside the Manville Post Office, agents searched various electronic devices of the defendants and uncovered email communications establishing a drug distribution conspiracy dating back to 2010.

Additionally, they both received sentenced both three years of supervised release.