Bridgeport Man Charged With Selling Carfentanil

BRIDGEPORT, CT — In what is the first federal prosecution of its kind in Connecticut, a city man was charged Thursday with selling carfentanil and other opioids. The U.S. Attorney's office announced Charles Thelusma, 43, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on charges of posession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin, carfentanil and U47700.

“This is the first federal prosecution involving carfentanil in Connecticut,” said U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly in a statement. “We will continue to devote numerous federal resources to battle the scourge of opioid abuse and distribution, and our commitment becomes stronger as these illegal drugs become more sinister and deadly. This investigation is ongoing.”

Law enforcement agents say they coordinated two controlled purchases of heroin from Thelusma. On May 24, police purchased 30 dose bags of heroin for Thelusma in exchange for $200 in Elmsford, NY, and found that the drugs contained carfentanil and U47700.

He was arrested at a hotel in Elmsford, where he was living at the time. Connecticut State Police announced recently that they had found two samples of Carfentanil in the state, according to NBC Connecticut.

“Those suffering from opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson in a statement. “But those responsible for the distribution of heroin and deadly synthetic opioids like carfentanil and U-47700 need to be held accountable for their actions. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement in Connecticut and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively seek and bring to justice anyone who distributes these poisons.”

Carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which is said to be 50 times more potent than heroin, according to the announcement. The drug is typically used as a tranquilizer for elephants and other large mammals.

U47700 is said to be seven times stronger than morphine. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.