Brothers Busted for Trafficking Deadly Pills

NEW HAVEN, CT – In a shocking move, two brothers from Connecticut have been charged with trafficking and possessing controlled substances, including a deadly synthetic opioid called Protonitazene.

According to a federal indictment, Kyle Petersen, 38, of Newington, and Erik Petersen, 43, also known as “Peach,” of New Britain, are accused of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the brothers were under investigation by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad after suspicious packages were delivered to Kyle Petersen’s residence in May 2023. The investigation revealed that Kyle Petersen had received over 34 packages from Michigan containing Protonitazene, a synthetic opioid typically more potent than fentanyl.

During the investigation, a court-authorized search of a package mailed to Petersen contained over 400 grams of pills containing Protonitazene. Investigators also made controlled purchases of counterfeit Percocet pills containing fentanyl from Erik Petersen. The brothers were arrested on federal criminal complaints on April 3, 2024, and a search of Kyle Petersen’s residence revealed a kilogram of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, and a large quantity of Protonitazene.

Kyle Petersen faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life if convicted, while Erik Petersen faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of cash seized from Kyle Petersen’s apartment, an additional $57,530 in cash seized from a bank account, and Kyle Petersen’s 2014 Porsche Cayenne.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.