4 arrested in connection with Michael K. Williams’ overdose death

Federal officials on Wednesday arrested four men in connection with the overdose death last year of actor Michael K. Williams.

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Williams, 54, died in September of what authorities later concluded was “acute intoxication by the combined effects of fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, heroin and cocaine,” according to The Washington Post. His death was ruled accidental.

“Today, along with our law enforcement partners at the (New York Police Department), we announce the arrests of members of a drug crew, including Irvin Cartagena, the man who we allege sold the deadly dose of drugs to Michael K. Williams,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said in a statement.

“This is a public health crisis. And it has to stop. 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.”

>> Related: Actor Michael K. Williams died of accidental overdose, medical examiner says

Authorities identified the arrested men as Irvin “Green Eyes” Cartagena, 39; Hector “Oreja” Robles, 57; Luis “Mostro” Cruz, 56; and Carlos “Carlito” Macci, 70. Officials said Cartagena was arrested Tuesday in Puerto Rico and charged with a narcotics conspiracy in which he distributed the fentanyl-laced heroin that caused Michael K. Williams’ death. Robles, Cruz and Macci were charged as members of the conspiracy, according to authorities.

Authorities said the suspects were part of a drug trafficking organization that has been operating in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood since at least August 2020. They said members of the organization sold Michael K. Williams heroin laced with fentanyl “and a fentanyl analogue” on Sept. 5, one day before family members found him dead in his penthouse apartment in Brooklyn.

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On Wednesday, investigators shared images which they said showed Cartagena “executing the hand-to-hand transaction” with Michael K. Williams.

Officials said the suspects “continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight, amidst residential apartment buildings in Brooklyn and Manhattan” after Michael K. Williams’ death.

Cartagena, Robles, Cruz and Macci face charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl analogue, fentanyl and heroin. Cartagena also faces a charge of causing the death of Michael K. Williams in connection with the narcotics conspiracy.

If found guilty, Cartagena faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, while Robles, Cruz and Macci face maximum sentences of 40 years in prison.

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