Three New Haven men have been charged with trafficking pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl, and fentanyl powder mixed with xylazine, federal officials announced today.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a seven-count indictment charging Markeyse Kelly, 45, also known as “Curry” and “Keyse,” of West Haven; Jaquan Price, 33, also known as “Sub,” of New Haven; and Robert Covington, 32, of New Haven, with offenses stemming from the distribution of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl, and fentanyl powder laced with xylazine.
The indictment alleges that in October 2023, the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Gang Task Force began investigating a drug trafficking organization led by Kelly. The investigation, which included controlled purchases of narcotics in February and March 2024, revealed that Kelly, Price, and Covington 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.
Kelly, Price, and Covington were arrested on federal criminal complaints on May 14, 2024. On that date, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized numerous fentanyl and methamphetamine pills; additional quantities of fentanyl powder, meth powder, and cocaine; three handguns, two loaded gun magazines, and ammunition.
The indictment charges Kelly, Price, and Covington each with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, methamphetamine and fentanyl. If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of narcotics attributed to each defendant, Kelly faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, Price faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and Covington faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
The indictment also charges Kelly, Price, and Covington each with one or more counts of 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. Kelly and Price are detained, and Covington is released on a $100,000 bond.
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being 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.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie T. Levick through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Related Federal Cases
- West Haven Woman Gets 6 Years for Deadly Drug Ring · Mississippi
- Rodriguez Gets 6 Years in New Haven Heroin Ring · Connecticut
- Rivera Gets 7 Years for Fair Haven Heroin Ring · Connecticut
- 23 Indicted in New Haven Heroin Ring Takedown · Puerto Rico
- Flushing Trio Indicted in Interstate Sex Trafficking Ring · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
