GALVESTON, Texas – The Galveston Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration announced the arrest of a man tied to two fatal overdoses that happened on Christmas Day in Galveston County.
Patrick Miller, 23, has been charged with two counts of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance. His bond total was set at $200,000.
Galveston police officers responded to a call at 7:19 p.m. in regard to an unconscious person in the 8300 block of Seawall Boulevard.
Responding officers found 31-year-old Vadim Birca unconscious and lifesaving efforts were implemented. Birca was taken to the Texas Medical Branch where he later died from an overdose of narcotics. He was residing in Galveston at the time and was on a work visa in Texas.
Police said Birca was in possession of a small bag of what was believed to be cocaine at the time of his death.
That same day, at 7:44 p.m., officers responded to the Rain Forest Cafe, located in the 5300 block of Seawall Boulevard, for an additional unconscious person.
Responding officers and EMS found 34-year-old Dimitrije Gudovski unconscious and lifesaving efforts were also implemented, police said. Gudovski was taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch where he later died from an overdose of narcotics as well. He was also residing in Galveston on a work visa.
Police said Gudovski was also in possession of the same style bag as Birca, which also appeared to contain cocaine.
Further investigation revealed that Gudovski and Birca were acquaintances, and both attended a holiday gathering in the 8300 block of Seawall Boulevard. Investigators linked the two overdoses and determined the victims both purchased the narcotics from the same supplier.
“If you see a bag that looks like this with a panda on it, there’s a good chance there may be fentanyl in this bag. You don’t want to handle it. You don’t want to touch it,” police said.
The Galveston Police Department, with the assistance of the DEA, allegedly found evidence to confirm that Miller was the supplier of the narcotics, which later tested positive for fentanyl.
On Jan. 5, Miller was arrested and is currently being held in the Galveston County Jail.
Police said additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.
“The drug cartels don’t care, they only care about the dollar bill,” said Daniel Comeaux, Special Agent in Charge at the DEA.
Comeaux said two milligrams is all it takes for a fatal overdose.