United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that on November 25, 2024, 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 various offenses related to the trafficking of counterfeit ecstasy pills and firearms.

Edwards, Santos, and Huckaby were arrested yesterday.  They appeared in New Haven federal court and entered pleas of not guilty to the charges.  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 Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) New Haven Safe Streets Task Force has been investigating a drug trafficking organization led by Lindsey Edwards.  The investigation included controlled purchases and the seizure of various narcotics, including multi-colored 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.

The indictment charges Edwards and Huckaby with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, methamphetamine and metonitazene.  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.

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.  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.

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.  In addition, 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.  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.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and Brendan J. Keefe through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.