Hamden Man Charged With Distributing Fentanyl Disguised As Oxycodone
MAY 11 - NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Agustin Cirino, 29, of Hamden, has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with distributing fentanyl disguised as oxycodone.
Cirino was arrested on May 9, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam in New Haven and was released on a $100,000 bond. As alleged in court documents, on March 9, 2017, the Hamden Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a Hamden residence where a 30-year-old male was found deceased. At the scene, investigators seized drug and non-drug evidence, including three suspected oxycodone tablets and the victim’s cellphone. The investigation revealed that the victim arranged to purchase oxycodone tablets from Cirino on March 7 and March 8.
The DEA Northeast Laboratory subsequently determined that the seized tablets contained fentanyl, acetaminophen and dipyrone, not oxycodone. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner also determined that the victim died as a result of “acute fentanyl toxicity, clonazepam, duloxetine use.”
The complaint charges Cirino with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of fentanyl, and with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone. Each offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Hamden Police Department. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes members from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.
