Three men from New Haven have been found guilty of charges related to the production and trafficking of counterfeit pills. The verdict was announced by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, following a jury trial in Hartford.
Aquarius Gumbs, also known as "Q," "Ice," and "Diamond," 50; Gordon Lauria, 54; and Markos Pappas, also known as "Speedy," 51, were convicted for their roles in distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine disguised as prescription medication. This operation involved counterfeit oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl and counterfeit Adderall tablets containing methamphetamine.
The investigation was led by the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad and the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force. It uncovered that Willis Taylor coordinated the manufacture and distribution of these counterfeit pills with assistance from Lauria, Pappas, Gumbs, and others. After Taylor's arrest in November 2022, Pappas continued distributing controlled substances with others.
During the investigation, authorities seized over two kilograms of fentanyl in thousands of counterfeit Oxycodone tablets; about two kilograms of methamphetamine in thousands of counterfeit Adderall pills; three kilograms of cocaine; four pill-press machines; an industrial mixer; five firearms; and more than $200,000 in cash. Two firearms and $13,250 were confiscated from Gumbs on November 18, 2022.
In total, fourteen individuals faced charges due to this investigation. The jury found Lauria and Gumbs guilty on one count each while Pappas was found guilty on two counts related to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Additionally, Gumbs faced several other charges including possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana as well as firearm-related offenses.
A fourth defendant, Julio Echevarria from New Haven, was acquitted of conspiracy charges related to drug distribution.
Gumbs, Lauria, and Pappas remain detained awaiting sentencing which has not yet been scheduled. Meanwhile, Taylor previously pleaded guilty but awaits sentencing while Lisa Fausel received a sentence of 42 months imprisonment on October 21st last year.
This case is part of efforts by multiple law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Marshals Service under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks through collaborative efforts among federal state local entities.