The Connecticut men allegedly "sold various controlled substances, including multi-colored pills pressed to look like ecstasy."
Three Connecticut residents have been arrested on charges connected with alleged distribution of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl, and fentanyl powder laced with xylazine, according to federal authorities.
Those arrested are Markeyse Kelly, also known as “Curry” and “Keyse,” 45, of West Haven; Jaquan Price, also known as “Sub,” 33, of New Haven; and Robert Covington, 32, also of New Haven, federal authorities said.
Authorities, citing court documents and statements made in court, said the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Gang Task Force began investigating a drug trafficking organization in 2023, allegedly led by Kelly. The investigation, including controlled purchases of narcotics in February and March 2024, revealed that Kelly, Price, and Covington allegedly “sold various controlled substances, including multi-colored pills pressed to look like ecstasy that actually contained methamphetamine, counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, and powder fentanyl laced with xylazine.”
When Kelly, Price, and Covington were arrested on federal criminal complaints in May, investigators executed search warrants and allegedly “seized numerous fentanyl and methamphetamine pills; additional quantities of fentanyl powder, meth powder, and cocaine; three handguns, two loaded gun magazines, and ammunition,” federal authorities said.
Also in May, an indictment charged Kelly, Price, and Covington each with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, methamphetamine and fentanyl, federal authorities said.
Kelly, Price, Covington each also are charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and/or fentanyl; Kelly with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon; and Price with unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, federal authorities said.
Kelly and Price are in custody, and Covington is free on a $100,000 bond.
The case was investigated by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, the West Haven Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Task Force includes personnel from the East Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, Wallingford Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and Connecticut Department of Correction.
