A 27-year-old Pearl River man, who pleaded guilty last year to his role in an extensive drug network with ties to Columbian and Mexican drug cartels, was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in federal prison.

Shane Patrick Bossier was just one of more than 25 people arrested after a yearlong investigation dismantled what Sheriff Jack Strain said at the time was the “most extensive drug network in St. Tammany Parish” history.

The network was so brazen it even conducted counter surveillance against the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. The drug network, specializing in cocaine and marijuana, boasted a diversity of players, ranging from black and white to men and women, all ranging from their 20s to 40s, authorities said at the time.

Bossier’s role was revealed in late 2006 and early 2007 when court-authorized wire taps revealed him in conversation with the supposed ring leader, Gabriel Juron Bolden of Slidell.

During those conversations law enforcement officers overheard Bossier and his co-defendants “orchestrating and discussing numerous narcotics deals,” as well as the counter surveillance plans, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Jim Letten’s office.

Those tapes also revealed the main source of the network’s cocaine supply was in Houston, Texas.

Bossier and five of his co-defendants pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute between 500 grams and five kilograms of cocaine. Seven years earlier in Sept. 2001, Bossier had already been convicted in St. Tammany Parish of possession with intent to distribute hydrocodone, a prescription painkiller.

At least 12 defendants associated with the network have been sentenced to prison time.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance also sentenced Bossier to eight years of probation after his release.