West Hartford Man Made Fake Oxycodone Pills Containing Heroin: Feds

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A West Hartford man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge that he imported a pill press from China to make fake oxycodone pills that contained heroin, according to authorities. Pablo Texidor, 40, of West Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and entered his guilty plea in federal court in Hartford this week.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 15, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials inspected a parcel from China that was being shipped to Texidor’s West Hartford residence. The parcel, which was described as containing “machine spare parts,” contained one set of tablet press dies, according to authorities.

“Pill presses are often used by individuals engaged in the manufacturing of distribution-quantities of pills or capsules,” U.S. States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly wrote in a press release. “A pill die is used with a pill press to cut and mark tablets.

“The investigation revealed that five parcels had been shipped previously from China to Texidor’s residence. Four of the parcels were described as containing ‘machine spare parts,’ and one parcel was described as containing a ‘hole puncher machine for sample.’”

DEA agents raided Texidor’s residence on March 30 and seized a tableting press, seven pill dies, 99 fake oxycodone pills, a bag containing approximately 4 grams of heroin, and a bag containing approximately 500 grams of a binding powder, according to Daly. A subsequent lab test revealed that the pills contained no oxycodone, but instead contained heroin, Daly said.

Texidor pleaded guilty to one count of importation of any product used to manufacture a controlled substance, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of four years. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 28.

Texidor was released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

Image via Shutterstock