An April 1 federal indictment charged two men, Antonio Venti and Michael Kuilan, with supplying the drugs that led to the death of transgender activist Cecilia Gentili in February. Venti and Kuilan are accused of causing Gentili’s death by distributing a deadly mixture of heroin and fentanyl, a felony punishable by a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life.
“Gentili was tragically poisoned in her Brooklyn home by fentanyl-laced heroin,” U.S. attorney Breon Peace said in a press release. “Fentanyl is a public health crisis. Our Office will spare no effort in the pursuit of justice for the many New Yorkers who have lost loved ones due to this lethal drug.” New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban added, “It is imperative that we continue to hold distributors accountable for their callous actions.”
However, the blame placed on Venti and Kuilan overlooks the role of drug warriors like Peace and Caban in contributing to Gentili’s death. The enforcement of drug laws creates a black market with uncertain drug compositions, pushing traffickers towards potent drugs like fentanyl. This lack of transparency increases the risk of fatal overdoses, a consequence of the policies enforced by officials like Peace and Caban.
The complexity of illicit drug distribution means that sellers often do not know the exact contents of their products. The mandatory penalties faced by Venti and Kuilan are harsher than penalties for manslaughter, highlighting the discrepancy in drug-related prosecutions.
Efforts to turn accidental overdoses into homicides through prosecutions create a dangerous precedent, deterring individuals from seeking help during emergencies and increasing the likelihood of death. Prohibition exacerbated the hazards of drug use by promoting the use of dangerous additives like fentanyl and xylazine.
If accountability for drug-related deaths is truly sought, it should begin with challenging the policies that make drug use more perilous. Zealous enforcement of existing laws perpetuates the cycle of danger and harm associated with illicit drug use.
Frank Tarentino of the Drug Enforcement Administration emphasized the dangers of fentanyl and the need to bring those responsible for drug poisonings to justice. However, true accountability should focus on addressing the root causes of drug-related fatalities.
This article originally appeared in print under the headline “Blaming Dealers for Drug Deaths Misses Another Culprit.”
