Four charged in drug death of The Wire actor Michael K Williamson February 2, 2022 at 9:20 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Officials say the suspects sold drugs to Michael K Williams one day before his overdose death.

Williams at a premiere

Image source, Getty Images

Police in New York and Puerto Rico have arrested four men who allegedly sold the drugs that actor Michael K Williams took before his overdose death.

Williams, most famous for his role as Omar on HBO’s The Wire, was found dead in his Brooklyn flat in September 2021.

The four men are accused of narcotics conspiracy. Police say they sold drugs laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid blamed for thousands of drug deaths.

A medical examiner has ruled that the 54-year-old’s death was an accident.

The suspects include Hector Robles, Luis Cruz and Carlos Macci – who were all arrested on Tuesday and are expected to make their first court appearances on Wednesday.

Irvin Cartagena was arrested on Tuesday in Puerto Rico and is expected to go before a judge on Thursday.

“This is a public health crisis. And it has to stop,” US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement announcing the arrests.

“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.”

Investigators have obtained surveillance footage of the men allegedly selling drugs to Williams on the street the day before he was found.

They allegedly continued to sell the drugs at residences in Manhattan and Brooklyn even after they learned that their drugs had killed Williams, officials say.

According to the Daily Beast, NYPD detectives treated his death as a homicide, and used surveillance cameras throughout the city to trace car licence plates to the suspects.

“Treat this case as if Michael K Williams was hit by a bullet,” one police official instructed his officers, he later told the website. “Make believe he got shot.”

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Tory leadership: Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak target Scottish votes at Perth hustingson August 16, 2022 at 3:59 am

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak are in Perth to pitch for the votes of Scottish Tory members.Image source, ITV/PALeadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi...

Stagecoach co-founder charged with human traffickingon January 20, 2023 at 10:41 pm

The Stagecoach co-founder, her husband and two members of her family strongly deny the allegations.Scottish transport tycoon Dame Ann Gloag has been charged with...

Strep A: Parents say son misdiagnosed before deathon December 14, 2022 at 4:55 am

The family of Jax Albert Jefferys says he was diagnosed with flu in the lead-up to his death.Image source, Jefferys familyThe family of a...

England Women’s Ashes ends with crushing ODI loss as Australia finish series unbeatenon February 8, 2022 at 5:18 am

England's Ashes campaign ends with another crushing defeat by Australia in the final one-day international in Melbourne.

Just Stop Oil: Activists says they have ‘a duty to protest’on June 21, 2022 at 11:30 pm

Newsbeat has been finding out about the individuals involved in the divisive climate action group.Newsbeat has been finding out about the individuals involved in...