New Haven Men Guilty Of Fake Pill-Making, Major Drug Trafficking: Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT — A jury found three New Haven men in their 50s guilty of a "large-scale" fentanyl trafficking operation and producing methamphetamine pills disguised as legitimate prescription medication, as well as other controlled substances, according to Marc H. Silverman, Acting U.S. Attorney for Connecticut.

Gordon Lauria, 54, Markos Pappas, 51 and Aquarius Gumbs, 50, were convicted in federal court last week following a years-long federal, state and local investigation.

According to Silverman, court documents and the evidence presented during the trial, this matter stems from an investigation by the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad and the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force targeting the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl and counterfeit Adderall tablets containing methamphetamine, and the distribution of heroin and cocaine, in the New Haven area.

Silverman said in a news release that the investigation revealed that "Willis Taylor, with the assistance of Lauria, Pappas, Gumbs, and others, coordinated the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit narcotic pills."

"Taylor distributed the pills to others and arranged counterfeit pill transactions between second and third parties, sometimes using Gumbs as a source of supply," the federal prosecutor said. "Gumbs also distributed controlled substances to his own customers."

Silverman said that, "After Taylor’s arrest in November 2022, Pappas conspired with others, including Lisa Fausel, of New Haven, to distribute controlled substances."

During the investigation, Silverman said, investigators seized more than two kilograms of fentanyl, including thousands of counterfeit Oxycodone tablets; approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine, including thousands of counterfeit Adderall pills; three kilograms of cocaine and other drugs; four pill-press machines; one industrial mixer; five firearms; and more than $200,000 in cash. Two of the firearms and $13,250 in cash were seized from Gumbs, a previously convicted felon, on Nov. 18, 2022, prosecutors said.

2 kilos of fentanyl, 2 kilos of meth, 1000s of fake Oxycodone, Adderall pills, 3 kilos cocaine, pill-press machines, 5 guns, $200K cash.

Fourteen individuals were charged as a result of this investigation, according to the Justice Department.

The jury found Lauria and Gumbs guilty of one count, and Pappas guilty of two counts, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances. Gumbs was also found guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of cocaine; one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

The jury found a fourth defendant, Julio Echevarria, of New Haven, not guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances.

Gumbs, Lauria, and Pappas are detained pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

Taylor previously pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. On October 21, 2024, Fausel was sentenced to 42 months of imprisonment.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Marshals Service. The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad is composed of personnel from the DEA, the Connecticut State Police, and the West Haven, Hamden, Manchester, Bristol, Fairfield, and Seymour Police Departments. The FBI Task Force includes participants from the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven, West Haven, and Wallingford police departments.