Fatal Fentanyl Overdose Leads To Indictment Of Suffolk Man: DA

MASTIC, NY — A Hauppauge man was indicted after selling fentanyl that resulted in the death of a Mastic resident, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Michael Dirago, 72, was indicted on charges including first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance after reportedly selling fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 53-year-old man, Tierney said.

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According to the investigation, on September 14, 2024, Suffolk County Police responded to a residence in Mastic after receiving a 911 call reporting a drug overdose.

Officers found the victim unresponsive in his bedroom, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, the DA said.

An autopsy revealed the cause of death was acute mixed drug intoxication involving fentanyl and xylazine, Tierney said.

On February 5, 2025, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office received a tip regarding the fatal overdose, and the District Attorney’s East End Drug Task Force began an investigation, the DA said.

The EEDTF determined that on September 13, 2024, the day before the fatal overdose, the victim was in contact with a phone number saved under the name "Mike Gangster," Tierney said.

Further investigation led investigators to identify Dirago as "Mike Gangster," Tierney said.

In early 2026, an undercover officer purchased 999 pills from Dirago, the DA said.

Testing by the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory confirmed the pills contained fentanyl, the DA said.

In addition, xylazine and tramadol were present in amounts below the threshold for full confirmation; each were detected, the DA said.

Xylazine, commonly known as "Tranq," is a powerful sedative, typically used by veterinarians to tranquilize large livestock, Tierney said.

Tramadol is a strong opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to severe pain with side effects that can slow or stop breathing, he added.

Both substances are used by drug dealers as cutting agents to increase profits from drug sales, Tierney said.

On April 16, members of the EEDTF executed a search warrant at Dirago’s residence in Hauppauge; during the search, law enforcement recovered about 500 pills and $27,964 in cash, Tierney said.

Testing by the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory confirmed the recovered pills contained fentanyl, the DA said.

On April 28, Dirago was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei on charges including one count of first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, an A-I felony; one count of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, an A-II felony; one count of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a Class B felony; and seven counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class B felonies, the DA said.

Mazzei ordered Dirago held on $1.5 million cash, $3 million bond, or $30 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case, the DA said.

Dirago is due back in court on May 12 and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the top count, the DA said.

He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

"This case illustrates a gap in New York law that families across the state have been asking us to close," Tierney said "‘Chelsey’s Law’ would allow prosecutors to charge dealers with manslaughter when the drugs they sell cause the death of another. This is a tool we currently do not have. I urge the legislature to wake up and pass it."