A string of near-fatal fentanyl overdoses in Key West last month prompted an intense investigation by Key West police detectives, who traced the source of the narcotics to a man living directly across the street from Key West High School.
William Edward Madalinski, 51, was arrested Jan. 29 when detectives and special agents from the Department of Homeland Security executed a search warrant at his residence at 2019 Flagler Ave. The house is not owned by Madalinksi, according to county property records.
Detectives and special agents found 40.4 grams of fentanyl — potentially 20,000 lethal doses, according to the DEA, which states that 2 milligrams of fentanyl is a lethal dose. The search warrant also turned up 76.8 grams of powder cocaine, 24.8 grams of MDMA, 3.2 grams of ecstasy pills and drug paraphernalia associated with the packaging and sale of narcotics, according to a press release from the Key West Police Department. Detectives also seized over $1,400 in suspected proceeds from drug sales.
Madalinski was charged with distribution of controlled substances resulting in overdose or serious bodily injury, trafficking cocaine, trafficking fentanyl, trafficking MDMA, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Madalinski was taken to jail and held on a $500,000 bail. He has four prior felony arrests for possession and sale of cocaine between 2015 and 2021, according to sheriff’s office records.
The overdoses that occurred in early January required the Key West police and fire departments to administer Narcan, which reverses the effects of opiates.
Key West police spokeswoman Alyson Crean told the Keys Weekly, “there were several overdoses that may be connected,” but she was unable to confirm the details. Official reports were not yet available, as the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected, Crean said.
Reports of the overdoses prompted Queer Keys to post on Facebook that Narcan was available at its community center, 1100 Truman Ave.
“Attention Key West: We’ve seen some concerning posts about overdoses in our community,” Queer Keys director Chris McNulty posted on Jan. 9. “The Queer Keys Community Center is here to help. We offer free Narcan (naloxone), a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. … You can pick it up at the center — no questions asked, no judgment.”
