Hillsborough sheriff: Drug dealers charged with murder after 2 people die of overdoses
TAMPA, Fla. - Two accused drug dealers in Hillsborough County are facing murder charges after two of their customers died from fentanyl-related overdoses.
The investigation began last August at the Windwood Oaks Apartments where a female in her 40s and her boyfriend -- a male in his 30s -- were found dead from a suspected fentanyl overdose.
The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office said the woman died from fentanyl intoxication, while the man's cause of death was fentanyl and ethanol intoxication.
(Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)
Immediately, undercover detectives located one of the victim's cell phones and got a search warrant.
"There were able to see old text messages where the drug transaction actually went down and from there reached out to that person and attempt to do another drug buy," Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Crystal Clark said.
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Investigators say 50-year-old Jose Marti fell for the trap.
In an interview, deputies say Marti admitted to selling the male victim fentanyl the night of the overdose and told investigators he got the drug from 42-year-old Melissa Hanna.
"When we find someone who overdoses we want to make sure we get to the root of the problem and in this case it was the drug dealer who was out there selling bad drugs to people in our community," Clark said.
Apprehending the suppliers is key in the fight against a deadly epidemic and so are resources. Clara Reynolds with the Crisis Center of Tampa says people are struggling with addiction more so now than ever before.
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"What we're seeing is fentanyl. Fentanyl is incredibly cheap. It comes very easily and its easy to put in pill form. Even individuals who don't even know what they're getting. They think they're getting some kind of pain medication and unbeknownst to them they're getting fentanyl," Reynolds said.
The sheriff's office says the arrests should serve as a warning to any others trying to cash in.
"If someone dies from these drugs, you're going to be held responsible," Clark said. "When you're selling poison in our community, you are intentionally killing someone."
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and in need of resources, call the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at 211 for help. The hotline is open and available 24 hours a day.