Feds bust Connecticut dealers accused of selling counterfeit pills throughout the US

The investigation revealed that Hinton, 45, ran his operation from a garage in East Haven, Connecticut, where he utilized pill presses and drugs sourced from international suppliers. From February 2023 to February 2024, he reportedly shipped over 1,300 packages of counterfeit pills purchased on the dark web. The pills, which were disguised as legitimate medications like oxycodone and Xanax, also contained other harmful substances such as dimethylpentylone and xylazine. Law enforcement agencies, including the DEA and FBI, collaborated on the case, which highlights the ongoing challenges in combating the proliferation of synthetic opioids and counterfeit drugs in the U.S.

Key Details of the Operation

• Location and Scale: Hinton’s operation was based in a rented garage about five miles from downtown New Haven, where he manufactured pills at a large scale.

• Types of Drugs Involved: The counterfeit pills included oxycodone, Xanax, and Adderall, laced with methamphetamine and protonitazene, posing severe health risks to users.

• Law Enforcement Response: The investigation was initiated after authorities received a tip in June 2023. A raid on September 5 led to the seizure of several hundred thousand pills and pill manufacturing equipment.

Broader Implications

The case reflects the ongoing opioid crisis in the U.S., which has seen over 107,500 overdose deaths in the past year alone, according to CDC data. The rise of counterfeit pills has exacerbated the situation, as these drugs often contain lethal doses of opioids. The authorities are committed to aggressively targeting drug trafficking organizations to mitigate the risks posed by these counterfeit substances.