Deadly Drugs Cause 8 ODs, 6 North Fork Deaths In 8 Days: PD

NORTH FORK, NY — A batch of deadly cocaine laced with fentanyl has led to a rash of at least eight overdoses and six deaths on the North Fork and Shelter Island over the past eight days, police said.

According to Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley, there have been seven overdoses and five deaths on the North Fork and one overdose and death on Shelter Island. The majority have been attributed to cocaine laced with fentanyl, he said.

Southold Town Police, Shelter Island Police, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and Suffolk County Police Department are investigating, he said.

"We collectively urge that anyone who has purchased cocaine or other narcotics recently on the North Fork or Shelter Island, or know of family member or friend that has purchased, safely dispose of these potentially lethal products," Flatley said.

According to Ian Wile, who first posted about the string of deaths on social media, many who have died work in the hospitality industry in Greenport.

"Literally the entire hospitality business, every young kid who works everywhere, nearly the largest employment base in town, is wrestling with how to go to work today, to make hospitality a priority," he said. "A pall of sadness washed over this village last night, and I fear we are not done."

There have been "countless others who reached out to talk about near misses this week," said Wile, who is working to organize a Narcan training for this week.

"Most of you have likely seen this on Instagram, but we are screaming it from the rooftops," he wrote on Facebook. "Our community has just lost five people to drug overdoses, three today alone. There is clearly something bad on our streets right now. Not preaching, this is about telling everyone we know and love to be extra cautious, call your friends and family and spread the word. This is a human disaster."

He added: "Please know that every kitchen and restaurant crew in Greenport is absolutely crying right now. Be kind. Tell everyone."