DEA Bust Disrupts Major CT Fentanyl Network: Law Enforcement

The Drug Enforcement Agency arrested nine people in an effort to disrupt the distribution of the powerful opioid fentanyl in Connecticut.

Ten search warrants led to the seizure of about 2.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, two kilograms of molly, 50,000 counterfeit Xanax pills, 40 pounds of marijuana, butane hash oil and steroids. In addition $500,000 in cash was seized, according to the U.S. Attorney District of Connecticut office.

Investigation started in December 2015 when DEA and New Britain Police Department officials were tipped off about an alleged drug dealer named Kyle Petersen, 30, of New Britain.

Fentanyl-involved overdoses have skyrocketed in recent years. Fentanyl was involved in 186 deaths for 2015 compared to 75 in 2014 and only 14 in 2012, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The drug is legally prescribed as a pain reliever, but the majority of overdose deaths in Connecticut have been from clandestine sources. It is commonly used to make heroin more potent.

Law enforcement officials made controlled purchases of fentanyl from Petersen and also used wiretaps to determine that Peterson got his supply of fentanyl and various prescription pills from Jared McBriarty, 31, of Bristol who in turn was supplied by John Casadei, 45, of Morris.

Casadei got large supplies of fentanyl and prescription pills from China by using the darknet, an online network only accessible with certain software.

It is believed that Petersen sold drugs to Charles Orcutt, 27, of Windsor, Carlos Enriquez, 27, of Enfield, Jesus Correa, 41, of New Britain, Isaac Ortiz, 35, of Newington and Tomasz Ziobron, 30, of New Britain, according to the U.S. Attorney office.

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“We believe that this groundbreaking investigation has identified a major supplier of fentanyl in our state,” said U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly. “Fentanyl is a highly dangerous synthetic opioid which can be up to 50 times more potent than heroin.”

New Britain Police Chief Wardwell said that the bust was a major step, but law enforcement won’t relent when it comes to stopping illegal drug sellers.

“After several months of intensive investigation, we are here today to report that this major source of fentanyl has been disrupted,” he said. “It is now up to us not to relax and to recommit to battling the increase of opioids on our streets.”

Casadei, McBriarty and Petersen are charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Petersen is also charged with possession with the intent to distribute, and distribution of, at least 400 grams of fentanyl.

Orcutt, Enriquez, Correa, Ortiz, Ziobron and Greco are charged by complaint with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Wethersfield and Willimantic Police Departments. Agencies assisting the investigation include the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, New Britain State’s Attorney’s Office and Connecticut State Police.