The Fentanyl Crisis in Key West
- Liana Gonzalez-Blanco
- 5 days ago
- 11 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
The Fentanyl Crisis in Key West
By: Liana Gonzalez-Blanco
December 30, 2025
The fentanyl crisis in Key West first took hold around 2023 and has intensified, with several arrests happening just this month in December 2025. Certainly, Key West is known for being a party town, but this is something far scarier that developed on our island. Fentanyl is a uniquely deadly drug made with chemicals sourced in China. It's then produced in Mexico and smuggled across what used to be Biden’s open border. While many bad things like human trafficking happened during this time, fentanyl is the ugliest and deadliest consequence of illegal immigration.
Even a tiny amount can kill. This deadly drug reached Key West by at least 2023. That year, almost 73,000 Americans died from fentanyl overdoses. That comes out to a rate of 199 Americans dying per day in 2023 because of this drug. Since then, the island has seen near-fatal overdoses, high-profile arrests and a months-long, multi-agency crackdown aimed at stopping shipments and local sales.
According to the DEA, fentanyl is similar to morphine but about 100 times more potent. Fentanyl is being mixed in with other illicit drugs to increase the potency of the drug, sold as powders and nasal sprays, and increasingly pressed into pills made to look like legitimate prescription opioids.
Because there is no official oversight or quality control, these counterfeit pills often contain lethal doses of fentanyl, with none of the promised drug. Due to its potency and low cost, drug dealers have been mixing fentanyl with other drugs including heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, increasing the likelihood of an overdose death.
Producing illicit fentanyl is not an exact science. Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage. DEA analysis has found counterfeit pills ranging from .02 to 5.1 milligrams (more than twice the lethal dose) of fentanyl per tablet. They say 42% of pills tested did contain at least 2 mg of fentanyl, considered a deadly dose.
Unless a drug is prescribed by a licensed medical professional and dispensed by a legitimate pharmacy, it's impossible to know if it’s fake or legitimate. Without laboratory testing, there’s no way to know the amount of fentanyl in a pill or how much may have been added to another drug. All of this mixing and unknown amounts makes it extremely dangerous and sometimes deadly.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the nation’s leading public health agency, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They say synthetic opioids (like fentanyl) are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States.
The CDC notes that from January 2020 to January 2021, overdose deaths involving opioids rose 38.1 percent. Also, overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) rose 55.6 percent. They are the primary driver of the increase in total drug overdose deaths.
Increases in deaths continued during Biden's presidency, where deaths involving fentanyl remained a major driver of the national overdose crisis. This sharp increase correlates with his open border policy timeframe. The chart below, provided by the CDC, shows the sharp increase in deaths during the years of his open border policies. We will be more certain of causation after data is studied from 2025 when President Trump closed the border. If fentanyl deaths drop in 2026, then it could suggest the problem was the open border.
A Traffic Stop in 2023 Leads to Fentanyl Discovery
In the year 2023, Fentanyl deaths had reached the highest point in American history. At this time, a minor traffic stop showed that Key West was not immune to this deadly drug. During a March 5, 2023 traffic stop Key West police officers found fentanyl and cocaine hidden throughout a car and the driver.
They pulled over 41-year-old Daniel Coto, after he ran a red light on North Roosevelt Boulevard near the Overseas Market Plaza. During the stop, a K-9 narcotics unit alerted officers to the presence of drugs in his vehicle. A search revealed multiple quantities of fentanyl and cocaine hidden in various compartments of the car and on Coto. He even admitted to concealing bags of drugs in his underwear before going to the Monroe County Detention Center. Prosecutors later charged him with trafficking in fentanyl (4 grams or more) and possession of cocaine.
Four grams of fentanyl can potentially kill about 2,000 people, based on estimates used by federal law enforcement. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that as little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be a lethal dose. Since one gram equals 1,000 milligrams, four grams equals 4,000 milligrams. This means he was carrying roughly 2,000 potentially fatal doses. This is why even very small fentanyl seizures can be a major public safety threat.
Fentanyl’s extreme potency means a quantity that looks insignificant can have deadly consequences. The drug user doesn't know when it's mixed into pills or other drugs. People who buy any drugs on the streets, instead of prescribed for legitimate reasons by a doctor, are playing Russian roulette with their lives. Any drug mixed with fentanyl is now deadly.
Eventually, Coto pleaded no contest and was sentenced in 2025 to three years in state prison on each felony count to be served concurrently. It's followed by one year of supervised probation with strict requirements including regular meetings and drug testing. In addition, he was ordered to pay fines, court costs and faced a suspension of his driver’s license. To some, this punishment isn't enough, considering he had enough drugs in his car to potentially kill 2,000 people.
This 2023 arrest showed how fentanyl had reached to even the small island of Key West. Considering what the DEA says about drug trafficking organizations selling fentanyl by the kilogram, one such sale could destroy a small town like Key West. They estimate that a kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000. The danger is so high that it’s difficult to comprehend the damage it can do. The suffering caused by this drug is incalculable.
Several Fentanyl Overdoses in Key West
In early January 2025, Key West police and firefighters used Narcan to reverse several near-fatal overdoses. Yes, Narcan might save someone from death, but using it to save lives is like throwing a cup of water on a burning house. To stop this scourge, the drug supply must be eliminated. Knowing this, detectives opened an intense investigation to find where the local supply of deadly fentanyl was being sold.
The investigation led to a January 29, 2025 search warrant at a Flagler Avenue home that was right across the street from the Key West High School. According to Monroe County property records, the 2019 Flagler home is not owned by William Edward Madalisnki.
During the search, Key West police officers and Homeland Security agents recovered 40.4 grams of fentanyl. The DEA estimates this amount to be enough for about 20,000 potentially lethal doses. It notes that just 2 milligrams can be a fatal. To put into perspective, the population in Key West is approximately 27,000 residents. He had enough fentanyl in his home near a school that could kill most of the island’s population.
They also found cocaine, MDMA and packaging materials. Madalinski, 51, was arrested and held on $500,000 bail; he faced multiple trafficking and distribution charges. As of court docket search on December 30, 2025, no sentencing has been filed.
Monroe County Sherriff Deputies Arrested for Smuggling Fentanyl
The only way things could get any worse is if actual law enforcement started trafficking fentanyl. Two Monroe County Sheriff’s Office detention deputies were arrested September 19, 2025 after investigators say they conspired to smuggle fentanyl into the Stock Island Detention Center. The arrests followed an internal investigation by the sheriff’s office into a plan to bring drugs into the jail, involving an estimated six grams of fentanyl.
According to jail and court records, Deputy Alex Caminero, 38, is charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, attempted trafficking in fentanyl, unlawful compensation for official behavior, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. Deputy James Gregory Gardner, 52, is charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and smuggling contraband into a county detention facility. Investigators say both men worked together in the alleged scheme.
MCSO spokesman Adam Linhardt confirmed that both deputies were placed on administrative leave without pay while they awaited pre-termination hearings. No further court outcomes have been announced so far.
Several Fentanyl and Cocaine Arrests in Stock Island and Key West
This month in December 2025, several were arrested following a months-long narcotics investigation targeting the sale of fentanyl and cocaine on Stock Island and in Key West. The operation was led by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Key West Police Department, with assistance from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, the DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and CBP Air and Marine Operations. This focus and coordination by multiple agencies shows how critical the fentanyl threat is in Key West.
One arrest was for Rhonda Merle Stanfill, 44, of Big Coppitt Key, who was charged with selling cocaine and sales of a controlled substance (hydrocodone acetaminophen). Her bond was set at $75,000. Her arrest follows many similar arrests from a continuing investigation focused on fentanyl and cocaine dealers primarily on Stock Island and in Key West.
The Sheriff’s Office says more arrests may be pending, and others already arrested include:
• Damonta Derek Knowles, 39, of Key West, Florida: Fentanyl and cocaine Sales within 1,000 feet of a specified area, and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony. Bond: $330,000
• Humberto Hernandez, 65, of Stock Island, Florida: Cocaine sales and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony. Bond: $240,000
• Robert Lee Brown 50, of Stock Island, Florida: Cocaine sales. Bond: $150,000
• Zoryana Erica Brown 28, of Stock Island and of Key West, Florida: Cocaine sales and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony. Bond: $130,000
• Isidro Fernandez 40, of Stock Island, Florida: Cocaine sales. Bond: $50,000
• Lourdes Nodal Santana 59, of Stock Island, Florida, Cocaine sales. Bond: $50,000
• Jasmine Isabel Maisonet 43, of Stock Island, Florida, one warrant for fentanyl sales within 1,000 feet of a specified area. Bond: $25,000
Anticipated Change for Key West in 2026
The national fentanyl crisis has definitely reached Key West. It caused a series of near-fatal overdoses and sparked focused law enforcement investigations. That resulted in arrests in Key West, Stock Island, and Big Coppitt. They also exposed drug dealing problem inside the jail from their own deputies. All of this shows that Key West isn't immune to the national fentanyl crisis. Because of its tiny amount and potency, this is perhaps the most dangerous drug to ever hit Key West.
Maybe President Trump's success with closing the border in 2025 will help destroy the fentanyl pipeline from Mexico. Maybe 2026 will be the year fentanyl is finally eradicated from Key West.
Sources
Drug Enforcement Administration. One Pill Can Kill. U.S. Department of Justice, https://www.dea.gov/onepill.
Drug Enforcement Administration. Facts About Fentanyl. U.S. Department of Justice, https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with fentanyl addiction, there are trusted places where you can get help and support.
Key West & Monroe County Addiction & Treatment Resources
1. Guidance/Care Center – Key West
What it is: Community behavioral health and substance use treatment provider. Offers counseling, outpatient services, crisis support, detox, relapse prevention, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and recovery programs.
📍 1205 4th Street, Key West, FL 33040
📞 305-434-7660 (24/7 access)
💻 guidancecarecenter.org
Cost: Serves all income levels; sliding-scale fees/assistance based on income. Free no-cost Narcan (naloxone) available at the center.
2. Key Bridge Treatment Center
What it is: Non-profit outpatient addiction and mental health treatment provider offering individual, group, and family therapy, trauma-informed care, and support for substance use disorders.
📍 1111 12th Street, Suite 212, Key West, FL 33040
📞 305-783-3677
💻 keybridgetreatment.com
Cost: Accepts various payment options; ask about sliding scale and insurance coverage.
3. Lower Keys Medical Center – Behavioral Health
What it is: Hospital-based inpatient and outpatient treatment including detox, counseling, and medical support for substance use and mental health issues.
📍 1200 Kennedy Drive, Key West, FL 33040
📞 305-294-5531
Cost: Hospital billing applies; varies by insurance.
4. Advocate Program, Inc.
What it is: Offers DUI classes, case management, counseling, and outpatient substance abuse assessment and treatment. 📍 11400 Overseas Hwy, Suite 210, Marathon, FL 33050 📞 305-289-5605 Cost: Typically lower-cost/affordable options. Monroe County Health Department
5. A Positive Step of Monroe County, Inc.
What it is: Local substance abuse counseling center providing assessments and outpatient support. 📍 5503 College Rd., Suite 1023, Key West, FL 33040
📞 305-292-6737 Ext. 1 Cost: Call for details on fees/insurance. Monroe County Health Department
6. Anaga Counseling
What it is: Outpatient counseling and support for substance use and co-occurring factors. 📍 1111 12th St., Suite 310F or other Monroe locations 📞 305-663-0013 Cost: Call for details on fees/insurance. Monroe County Health Department
7. Narcotics Anonymous – Florida Keys
What it is: Peer-led support groups for people in recovery from drug addiction. 📞 866-584-2411 💻 floridakeysna.org Cost: Free support meetings. Monroe County Health Department
Florida Statewide Addiction Help
8. Florida Rehab Hotline
What it is: Free, confidential 24/7 helpline connecting you with substance abuse treatment resources statewide. 📞 888-675-3622 Cost: Free and confidential. Florida Rehab Hotline
9. Florida Department of Children & Families (DCF)
What it is: State agency that oversees substance abuse treatment programs and can connect you with local services and support. 📞 Call 211 or visit dcf.myflfamilies.com Cost: Many state-supported programs offer free or low-cost services. MyFLFamilies
10. Florida Department of Health in Monroe County
What it is: Public health department that provides information, referrals, and can help access free naloxone (Narcan) kits at DOH-Monroe locations. 📍 1100 Simonton St., Key West, FL 33040 📞 305-293-7500 Cost: Free community resources like naloxone; referrals for help. Monroe County Health Department
National Help & Support
11. SAMHSA National Helpline
What it is: Free and confidential 24/7 helpline that connects callers with local treatment, support groups, and recovery services.
📞 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
📞 TTY: 1-800-487-4889
💻 FindTreatment.gov (treatment locator tool)
Cost: Free informational/referral service.
12. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
What it is: Free, nationwide support line that also helps people in crisis related to substance use and mental health. Available by phone, text, or online chat.
📞 Call or text 988
💻 988lifeline.org
Cost: Free and available 24/7.
13. United Way 211
What it is: A free, local resource number that can connect you to nearby treatment options, housing help, food aid, and other community services.
📞 Call 211
💻 211.org
Cost: Free referral service.
14. Crisis Text Line
What it is: Free text support for immediate emotional distress or crisis.
📱 Text “HOME” to 741741
Cost: Free.
15. National Rehab Hotline (Alternate)
What it is: Free national phone line offering support, guidance, and help locating treatment and recovery options. 📞 866-210-1303 Cost: Free and confidential. National Rehab Hotline
Tips When Reaching Out
Emergency situations or overdose: Call 911 immediately.
When calling treatment centers, ask about sliding-scale fees, Medicaid/Medicare acceptance, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) options.
Support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are free and ongoing peer support.
Liana Gonzalez-Blanco
Liana is a Key West native who loves writing about her island home. She taught English to students in grades 6–12 for nearly 35 years in Key West schools, sharing her love of literature and language with generations of local students. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Liana is the owner of Conch Media Group, LLC, and the creator and manager of The Key West Post. Her goal is to keep readers informed about the issues that matter most in Key West. As a lifelong local, she offers a perspective often missing from corporate media and from journalists and bloggers who are new to the island. When Liana isn't writing and managing this website, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. On most days, you’ll find her walking, biking, or running outdoors, soaking up the natural beauty, friendly people, and diverse cultures that make Key West so special.
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