Heroin Arrests: 'Thousands Of Deaths' Prevented By Getting Drugs Off Streets

A task force of combined Nassau and Suffolk county police officers followed an investigation from three overdoses in Massapequa to arrest four people for selling heroin and the much deadlier drug fentanyl early this week.

According to police, the investigation began on May 30 with three overdoses in Massapequa which left one person dead. As a rule, police investigate the source of any opioids tied to an overdose. The investigation led police to Randal L. Robinson, 31, and Lilliana M. Vasquez, 27, both of Meucci Avenue in Copiague. According to police, on June 5, the two were in the parking lot of Rite Aid, located at 901 Merrick Road in Copiague, when they sold fentanyl-laced heroin to an undercover officer. Robinson was in the front seat while Vasquez was driving, police said.

Police say they recovered three grams of fentanyl-laced heroin. During the drug deal, Vasquez's 21-month-old child was in the back seat of the car.

RELATED: Face of Fentanyl: One Woman's Story Of Deadly Drug That's Surpassing Heroin In Long Island Deaths

The three grams recovered from Robinson could have been made into 1,000 bags of heroin, police said.

Police say they began to investigate Robinson's supplier. That led police on June 6 to Robert P. Evanson, 30, of Prince Street, Deer Park, and Kevin Forrester, 29, of Brefini Street, Amityville. According to police, the two sold 22 grams of fentanyl to undercover officers, who then immediately arrested the pair.

Fentanyl is a much more potent opioid than heroin. According to Acting Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter, the 22 grams could have led to "thousands of deaths." If mixed in with heroin, it could have been used in anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 decks of heroin, police said, with a street value of $25,000 to $50,000.

Robinson was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal sale of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child. Vasquez was charged with criminal facilitation and endangering the welfare of a child, and was released on an appearance ticket. Evanson and Forrester were each charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

At a press conference announcing the arrests, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano urged people who may find fentanyl in a loved one's possessions to not touch it, as just coming in contact with skin can be enough to cause a fatal overdose.

"It's used in end-stage cancer patients to eliminate pain," Mangano said. "It's used on elephants."

Mangano urged anyone who knows someone who needs help overcoming addiction to call the county's 24-hour, toll-free hotline, at 227-TALK.

Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, who was also at the press conference, touted the abilities of the joint-county task force that led to the arrest, and told drug dealers to be on guard.

"Our message to drug dealers is that we're coming for you, and you will be held accountable," she said.

Clockwise, from top left: Robert Evanson, Randal Robinson, Lilliana Vasquez and Kevin Forrester. Photos: Nassau County Police Department.