U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal grand jury in Bridgeport has indicted seven individuals for their roles in a large-scale counterfeit pill manufacturing and trafficking operation. The announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for New England; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
The individuals charged are Kelldon Hinton, 45, Heshima Harris, 53, Emanuel Payton, 33, Marvin Ogman, 47, Shawn Stephens, 34, Arnaldo Echevarria, 42, and Cheryle Tyson, 64. They face charges related to the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pills containing synthetic opioids and other substances.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the investigation was led by the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It targeted counterfeit oxycodone, Xanax, and Adderall tablets containing methamphetamine, protonitazene (a Schedule I synthetic opioid), dimethylpentylone, xylazine, and other substances.
In June 2023, law enforcement received information that Hinton was using a pill press to manufacture large quantities of counterfeit pills containing controlled substances. Investigators used various methods including physical and electronic surveillance to determine that Hinton and his co-conspirators were purchasing substances from China and elsewhere to manufacture counterfeit pills in a rented garage in East Haven. Between February 2023 and February 2024, Hinton shipped over 1,300 packages through the U.S. Mail.
On September 5th this year, several arrests were made following court-authorized searches which yielded several hundred thousand pills and pill manufacturing equipment from locations including a garage on Tyler Street Extension in East Haven.
Ogman allegedly communicated with Tyson about news reports of the search and continued distributing pills produced by Hinton. Law enforcement is investigating a recent drug overdose death potentially linked to these counterfeit pills.
The indictment charges each defendant with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and protonitazene. Based on quantities attributed to each defendant: Hinton faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years up to life; others face up to twenty years each. Additional charges include possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine for Hinton carrying similar penalties; Echevarria faces up to twenty years for possession with intent to distribute protonitazene.
Hinton along with Payton and Ogman are currently detained while Harris Stephens Echevarria Tyson have been released pending trial.
"This multifaceted investigation is a testament to great law enforcement work," said U.S Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery highlighting collaborative efforts across agencies tackling synthetic opioid proliferation challenges emphasizing ongoing needs beyond prosecution alone involving education treatment programs public awareness campaigns against dangers posed by such drugs even one counterfeit pill causing harm
“This country is amidst catastrophic overdose epidemic,” stated Acting Special Agent Stephen Belleau emphasizing accountability aggressive pursuit against distributors poisoning citizens profiting destroying lives showcasing strength commitment local state federal partners
“These actions disrupted significant trans-national operation dismantling largest illicit manufacturing sites located Connecticut” added Inspector Ketty Larco-Ward highlighting effectiveness collaboration among involved agencies addressing real danger posed individuals engaging crimes
U.S Attorney Avery stressed indictment not evidence guilt charges only allegations defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt
Investigation conducted DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad US Postal Inspection Service assistance DEA Chicago Cyber Task Force Homeland Security Investigations US Customs Border Protection FBI US Marshals Service East Haven Police Department Tactical Diversion Squad composed personnel from multiple police departments
Case prosecuted Assistant US Attorneys Lauren C Clark Konstantin Lantsman More information Justice Department efforts disrupt global supply chain fentanyl synthetic drugs available online March this year US Attorney Office DEA New England Field Division released public service announcement warning danger fentanyl proliferation counterfeit prescription pills More information available online Learn more about fentanyl awareness drug prevention program students online
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