Feds Bust Connecticut Drug Dealers Accused of Distributing Counterfeit Pills Across the Country

A Connecticut man is facing federal charges for allegedly running one of the largest counterfeit pill operations in New England. Kelldon Hinton, 45, is accused of manufacturing hundreds of thousands of pills containing methamphetamine, a potent opioid, and other illicit substances in a rented garage in East Haven, just outside New Haven, according to a federal grand jury indictment.

Federal officials said Hinton shipped more than 1,300 packages of counterfeit pills through the U.S. mail from February 2023 to February 2024, selling them via the dark web and distributing them to local dealers. Six other Connecticut residents have also been indicted in connection with the operation.

Hinton’s pills, marketed as oxycodone, Xanax, and Adderall, allegedly contained dangerous substances like methamphetamine, protonitazene—a synthetic opioid three times more powerful than fentanyl—dimethylpentylone, and xylazine, known as “tranq.”

The bust, which federal law enforcement is calling one of the largest in New England, led to the seizure of several hundred thousand pills, two pill presses, and manufacturing equipment, including a press capable of producing 100,000 pills an hour. Hinton and four others were arrested on September 5.

Authorities began investigating Hinton’s operation after a tip in June 2023 and later ordered counterfeit pills from his operation on the dark web. The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the DEA, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and local police.

Last year, over 107,500 people died from overdoses, with counterfeit pills containing opioids like fentanyl being a major factor.