Audio By Carbonatix
Four men have been arrested for allegedly being part of a drug trafficking organization that sold deadly fentanyl-laced heroin to actor and producer Michael K. Williams, according to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York.
Williams, best known for his role as Omar Little on HBO's "The Wire," was found dead in September 2021 at his New York City apartment.
The New York City Medical Examiner's Office later determined Williams died from an accidental overdose.
Irvin Cartagena, 39, Hector Robles, 57, Luis Cruz, 56, and Carlos Macci, 70, were arrested on Tuesday and were each charged with "conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl analogue, fentanyl, and heroin," according court filings.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years.
The four men allegedly continued selling fentanyl-laced heroin in Manhattan and Brooklyn even after learning of Williams' death, according to prosecutors.
"Deadly opioids like fentanyl and heroin don't care about who you are or what you've accomplished," said US Attorney Damian Williams in a statement.
"They just feed addiction and lead to tragedy. The Southern District of New York and our law enforcement partners will not give up. We will bring every tool to bear. And we will continue to hold accountable the dealers who push this poison, exploit addiction, and cause senseless death."
Cartagena, who allegedly personally gave Michael K. Williams heroin laced with fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue, is also charged with causing the actor's death and faces a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, according to court filings.
Cartagena will be arraigned in federal court in Puerto Rico, where he was arrested, on Thursday, while Robles, Cruz, and Macci will be arraigned on Wednesday in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron, according to the press release.
Latest Stories
-
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu questions timing of OSP investigation into alleged vote buying in NPP Presidential Primary
2 minutes -
Photos: Dreams FC suffer 1-0 defeat at home to Karela
7 minutes -
Ghana needs clear policy to tackle galamsey, our past methods fell short – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
12 minutes -
Mahama pushes urgent rollout of Pan-African payment system at AU Summit
17 minutes -
AGA Obuasi Mine and partners inspire girls at Asare Bediako SHS to pursue careers in STEM
18 minutes -
Ashanti Regional Minister inaugurates Spatial Planning Committees, unveils plan to restore Kumasi’s green glory
27 minutes -
AI-driven technology set to boost farmers’ productivity and cut seed losses in Ghana
28 minutes -
Early polls are misleading – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on Ghana’s 2028 elections
33 minutes -
Black Princesses arrive in Ghana after victory over South Africa
35 minutes -
NPP primaries: Gideon Boako reconciles opposing camps in Tano North
42 minutes -
‘We will prepare ourselves to outweigh Uganda’ – Black Princesses coach Charles Sampson
44 minutes -
Dr Bawumia can bounce back to win Ghana’s 2028 presidency – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
59 minutes -
ECG schedules outages on Tuesdays for Ahodwo-Santasi transmission lines relocation
1 hour -
Female Israeli soldiers rescued after being chased by ultra-Orthodox men
1 hour -
GCB Bank PLC prepares to launch non-interest banking window following high-level talks with IIFM
1 hour
