3 Charged With Trafficking Counterfeit Ecstasy Pills, Firearms: Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT — A federal grand jury in New Haven returned a nine-count indictment charging Lindsey Edwards, also known as “G-ride,” 45, of Hamden, Matthew Santos, 20, of Waterbury, and Paris Huckaby, 25, of New Haven, with offenses related to the trafficking of counterfeit ecstasy pills and firearms, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The three were arrested Tuesday, and appeared in New Haven federal court and entered pleas of not guilty to the charges, Avery said, adding Edwards is detained, and Santos and Huckaby were each released on $100,000 bonds.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force has been investigating a drug trafficking organization led by Lindsey Edwards, the U.S. Attorney said.

According to the Justice Department, the investigation included controlled purchases and the seizure of various narcotics, including multicolored pills pressed to look like ecstasy, which contain methamphetamine and metonitazene, a synthetic opioid with a potency similar to or greater than fentanyl.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than six kilograms of methamphetamine pills, approximately 600 grams of metonitazene pills, and approximately 300 grams of pills containing a synthetic amphetamine. Investigators also determined that Edwards and Santos trafficked firearms, Avery said.

The indictment charges Edwards and Huckaby with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, methamphetamine and metonitazene, according to the US Attorney. In addition, Edwards is charged with three counts, and Huckaby with one count, of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, federal prosecutors said.

As to the drug conspiracy charge, based on the type and quantity of drug attributed to each defendant, Edwards faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and Huckaby faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, Avery said. The substantive charge of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, per the U.S. Attorney.

Federal prosecutors said the indictment also charges Edwards and Santos with one count of engaging in a firearms trafficking conspiracy, and with one count of unlawful transfer of a firearm and Edwards is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, and one count of using, carrying, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

The firearms trafficking and possession charges each carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, Avery said, adding, as to Edwards, the charge of using, carrying, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.