Two Hamden Men Charged With Distributing Oxycodone Involved In Weston Overdose
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Deirdre M. Daly the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that an investigation into a recent drug overdose in Weston has resulted in federal oxycodone distribution charges against two Hamden residents.
Tahir Farid, - 21, and Ryan Looney - , 19, are each charged by federal criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone. Farid was arrested on February 22 and is released on a $250,000 bond. Looney was arrested on February 29 and is released on a $100,000 bond. According to the criminal complaints, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Weston Police Department are investigating a drug-overdose of a 22-year-old male in Weston. The victim was found unresponsive at a friend’s residence on January 5, 2016. He remains unresponsive and, according to medical personnel, is in a “persistent vegetative state.”
It is alleged that on January 3, 2015, the victim purchased 30 40-milligram oxycodone pills from Farid in exchange for $900. He then consumed some of those pills, as well as other substances, which led to his overdose. It is further alleged that prior to the victim’s overdose, Looney supplied Farid with oxycodone pills. The charge of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, the Weston Police Department and the Monroe Police Department. The Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon and Wilton Police Departments.
