West Hartford Man Admits Importing Pill Press from China to Make Fake Oxycodone Pills Containing Heroin

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that PABLO TEXIDOR, 40, of West Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to importing a tableting machine and tableting dies to manufacture fake oxycodone pills that contain heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 15, 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials inspected a parcel from China that was being shipped to TEXIDOR’s West Hartford residence. The parcel, which was described as containing “machine spare parts,” contained one set of tablet press dies.

Pill presses are often used by individuals engaged in the manufacturing of distribution-quantities of pills or capsules. A pill die is used with a pill press to cut and mark tablets.

The investigation revealed that five parcels had been shipped previously from China to TEXIDOR’s residence. Four of the parcels were described as containing “machine spare parts,” and one parcel was described as containing a “hole puncher machine for sample.”

On March 30, 2017, DEA agents searched TEXIDOR’s residence and seized a tableting press, seven pill dies, 99 fake oxycodone pills, a bag containing approximately four grams of heroin, and a bag containing approximately 500 grams of a binding powder. A subsequent lab test revealed that the pills contained no oxycodone, but instead contained heroin.

TEXIDOR pleaded guilty to one count of importation of any product used to manufacture a controlled substance, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of four years. Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for November 28, 2017.

TEXIDOR was released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with the assistance of the West Hartford Police Department. The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, Greenwich, Hamden, Milford, New Haven, Shelton, Vernon and Wilton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.