Two men have plead guilty to distributing drugs that led to a rash of overdoses in New Haven.
According to the US Attorney’s office, Frank Pina, 57, of New Haven, and Steven Whaley, 48, of New Haven, plead guilty to federal charges of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances Thursday. Pina is scheduled for sentencing on October 31 and Whaley is scheduled for November 1. Both face a maximum term of 20 years in prison, officials said.
According to court documents, 17 people overdosed – three fatally - on narcotics in New Haven on June 23. The city declared a public health emergency and began an investigation.
The Drug Enforcement Agency and New Haven Police department determined that many of the victims thought they were taking cocaine when they overdosed. Testing showed that the cocaine was laced with fentanyl, a powerful opioid significantly stronger than heroin. Naloxone, an emergency treatment for opioid overdoses, was used to revive some of the victims.
Officials said that Pina supplied the drugs responsible for the overdoses and Whaley acted as a middleman for Pina. Both men were arrested on June 27.
Whaley was in possession of cocaine packaged for sale when he was arrested, officials said.
