7 Connecticut residents arrested in ‘biggest fake pill bust’ in New England

September 23, 2024 23:55 • Last update: September 23, 2024 23:55

In this photo released by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Connecticut, confiscated counterfeit pills are shown on Sept. 5, 2024, in East Haven, Connecticut (U.S. Attorney’s Office in Connecticut via AP)

Seven people in New Haven County face charges for manufacturing and distributing a “massive amount” of counterfeit pills containing synthetic opioids, federal officials said.

Although officials are still counting and testing the pills seized in the investigation, “We can say with confidence that this is the largest seizure of counterfeit pills, weighing hundreds of pounds, that we’ve had here in Connecticut,” said Vanessa Roberts Avery, US Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut said those arrested were: Kelldon Hinton, 45, of New Haven; Heshima Harris, 53, of New Haven; Emanuel Payton, 33, of New Haven; Marvin Ogman, 47, of West Haven; Shawn Stephens, 34, of West Haven; Arnaldo Echevarria, 42, of Waterbury; and Cheryle Tyson, 64, of West Haven.

All seven were charged with conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and protonitazen. Hinton is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and a “quantity” of protonitazen, the U.S. attorney’s office said. Echevarria was also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute protonitazen.

Agents began investigating in June 2023 after learning about the pill press from an informant. The investigation, led by the New Haven DEA Tactical Diversion Team and the US Postal Inspection Service, examined counterfeit tablets — purported to be Oxycodone, Xanax and Adderall tablets — that contained methamphetamine, protonitazen and other drugs. Protonitazene is a synthetic opiate that can be three times stronger than fentanyl.

Investigators say Hinton and six others bought drugs and pill press parts from China and other locations, then used the illicit presses to manufacture the counterfeit pills in a rented garage in East Haven, which he called his “laboratory.” , the documents show. Investigators say he then marketed and sold the counterfeit pills on the dark web and shipped them to customers across the country, according to the documents.

Over the course of a year, Hinton shipped more than 1,300 packages through the US Mail, Avery said.

The US attorney’s office said one of the pill presses seized by investigators was capable of producing 100,000 pills an hour. The investigation took nearly 1 million deadly pills off the streets and “undoubtedly saved lives,” Avery said.

David Lanzoni, deputy special agent in charge of the DEA’s New England office, said it was “the largest seizure of counterfeit pills we’ve seen in New England,” estimating that more than 2 million counterfeit pills are being produced.

The investigation includes federal law enforcement activity that took place in East Haven earlier this month, the U.S. attorney’s office said. On September 5, DEA agents and officers from the East Haven Police Department were seen conducting an investigation near Tyler Street Extension.

That turned out to be where East Haven garage investigators claim the group used as a “lab.” Hinton, Harris, Stephens and Echevarria were all arrested on that date, while investigators also searched a location on Tyler Street Extension.

About 30 agents from the New Haven Field Division of the DEA and police and hazardous materials from Environmental Services Inc. they could be seen putting stacks of hazmat suits on bags. In the open garage where investigators were examining, there appeared to be a lab with some industrial-grade equipment inside, including a pill maker.

Avery noted that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

This story used previous reporting from Jessica Bravo and Christian Metzger.