Two Plead Guilty to Distributing Drug Involved in New Haven Mass Overdose

NEW HAVEN, CT—Two men pleaded guilty to distributing drugs involved in a mass overdose that left three dead and many more in the hospital.

Frank Pina, 57, and Steven Whaley, 48, both pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

The case stems from a June 23 mass overdose in the city that gained national attention.

A total of 17 people in New Haven overdosed on what is suspected to be cocaine laced with fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 times more powerful than heroin. Many thought they were just using cocaine, according to law enforcement.

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A full analysis of the ingested material hasn't been completed.

The investigation revealed that Pina supplied drugs both directly and through various middlemen to several of the individuals who overdosed on June 23, 2016, according to the U.S. Attorney District of Connecticut office. Whaley was identified as an associate of Pina who sometimes served as a middleman.

Both are scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 31 and fast a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, and the New Haven Police Department. The Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Middlebury Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Avi M. Perry and Douglas P. Morabito.