Federal law enforcement achieved a major breakthrough with the largest counterfeit prescription pill seizure in New England history.
At a Glance
- Federal officials arrested seven people involved in a counterfeit synthetic opioids operation.
- The DEA reported one of the largest seizures of fake pills in New England.
- The operation was dismantled in Connecticut, one of the largest illicit manufacturing sites found in the state.
- A federal grand jury in Bridgeport indicted the seven suspects from New Haven, West Haven, and Waterbury.
- The investigation was led by the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Operation Dismantled by Federal Authorities
Federal officials arrested seven individuals allegedly involved in a counterfeit synthetic opioids operation. This operation stands as one of the largest seizures of fake pills in New England’s history. The operation was dismantled in Connecticut, which had one of the largest illicit manufacturing sites found in the state. These arrests underscore the relentless efforts and coordinated strategies of federal law enforcement agencies to curb drug counterfeiting activities.
The seven suspects were indicted by a federal grand jury in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They hailed from New Haven, West Haven, and Waterbury. The indictment highlights the seriousness of the charges, reflecting comprehensive investigative work carried out by various law enforcement agencies. This decisive action is a part of the committed stance of law enforcement against synthetic opioids and counterfeit prescription medications.
Details of the Seizure
The counterfeit pills included oxycodone, Xanax, and Adderall, containing dangerous substances like methamphetamine, protonitazene, dimethylpentylone, and xylazine. In June 2023, authorities identified a New Haven resident using a pill press to manufacture these counterfeit pills. The suspects bought substances and pill press parts from China and other sources and manufactured the pills in a rented garage in East Haven, selling them on the dark web. Between February 2023 and February 2024, one suspect shipped over 1,300 packages through the U.S. mail.
“This investigation reveals the constant challenges that we in law enforcement face in battling the proliferation of synthetic opioids in America,” U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said in a statement.
On September 5, 2023, federal law enforcement arrested five suspects and conducted searches at multiple locations, uncovering hundreds of thousands of pills and manufacturing equipment. A single pill press could produce up to 100,000 pills per hour, indicating the massive scale of the operation. The investigation also tied the counterfeit pills to a recent drug overdose death in Connecticut, underscoring the societal dangers posed by these illegal operations.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Three suspects remain detained while four others were released pending trial. The defendants face charges including conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and protonitazene. The lead suspect, Kelldon Hinton, was identified as a key player in the operation, manufacturing and distributing hundreds of thousands of counterfeit pills.
“This country is in the midst of a catastrophic overdose epidemic where the threat from synthetic opioids and methamphetamine disguised in fake prescription medication remains high,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, said in a statement.
Authorities revealed that Hinton shipped the pills across the United States and supplied local dealers. The federal grand jury indictments against Hinton and his associates mark one of the largest counterfeit pill busts in the region. Authorities received a tip-off about Hinton in June 2023, which led to extensive surveillance and searches, ultimately disrupting the operation. Hinton’s criminal record dates back to 1997.
The U.S. Attorney emphasized the critical importance of continued efforts to combat the proliferation of synthetic opioids. These efforts include law enforcement actions, treatment programs, and public awareness campaigns to protect communities and ensure public health and safety.
