NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Four Brooklyn men have been arrested in connection with the drug overdose death of Michael K. Williams in September 2021, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Irvin Cartagena, also known as "Green Eyes," was charged on Tuesday with a narcotics conspiracy in which he distributed the fentanyl-laced heroin that resulted in the death of "The Wire" actor, prosecutors said.
In another complaint unsealed Wednesday, Hector Robles, also known as "Oreja," Luis Cruz, also known as "Mostro" and Carlos Macci, also known as "Carlito," were charged as members of the fentanyl and heroin conspiracy.
Cartagena was arrested in Puerto Rico on Tuesday and is expected to be presented on Thursday in federal court in Puerto Rico. Robles, Cruz and Macci were arrested on Tuesday and were due to be presented in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday.
Williams, 54, a Flatbush-native, was found dead inside his Brooklyn home on Sept. 6, 2021. The city's Medical Examiner ruled his death an accidental overdose caused by a deadly combination of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.
According to the allegations in the complaints, since at least in or about August 2020, a drug trafficking organization (the "DTO") has been operating in vicinity of 224 South 3rd Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The organization sells heroin laced with fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue on the street in front of, and from an apartment inside of, the apartment building located at that address, among other places.
Officials said on or about Sept. 5, 2021, members of the DTO allegedly sold Williams heroin laced with fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue with Cartagena executing the transaction.
Prosecutors said Williams died as a result of using the fentanyl-laced heroin.
Despite knowing Williams died after being sold the DTO’s product, Cartagena, 39, Robles, 57, Cruz, 56, and Macci, 70, allegedly continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin, in broad daylight, amidst residential apartment buildings, in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Each is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl analogue, fentanyl, and heroin, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Cartagena also faces a charge for the death of Williams in connection with the narcotics conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
"This is a public health crisis. And it has to stop," said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. "Deadly opioids like fentanyl and heroin don’t care about who you are or what you’ve accomplished. They just feed addiction and lead to tragedy."
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