Man Admits To Using Dark Web To Buy, Sell Drugs: Court Officials

ESSEX, CT — Court officials said an Essex man has been charged with using the Dark Web to buy and sell drugs. The suspect waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty Monday to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, oxycodone, methamphetamine, fentanyl and alprazolam, officials said.

Officials said on Sept. 6, investigators searched a package containing approximately 1,000 alprazolam (Xanax) tablets mailed to Peter Ceplenski, 47, of Essex. The suspect was arrested the following day after investigators delivered the package to his residence, officials said.

Investigators subsequently seized approximately 500 tablets that Ceplenski believed contained fentanyl, and a second package containing approximately 1,000 alprazolam tablets, officials said.

Officials said the suspect admitted he had shipped fentanyl powder to another individual who could manufacture pills, who then shipped fentanyl pills back to him. The seized pills that Ceplenski believed contained fentanyl actually contained no controlled substances, officials said.

Police seized two additional packages as part of the investigation, one of which contained pills filled with methamphetamine and the other of which contained heroin, officials said.

Officials said the suspect has agreed to forfeit multiple laptops, iPads and iPhones, as well as $40,642.25, all of which were seized at the time of his arrest.

Ceplenski is scheduled to be sentenced in court on April 4, officials said. He is released on bond pending sentencing, officials said.

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