LOS ANGELES
Redondo Beach man who allegedly sold counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl that caused a fatal opioid overdose is being held without bond pending trial, officials stated.
Marcus Michael Takaya Poydras, 32, a dual U.S. and Japanese citizen, was arrested on Sept. 9 by agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The following day, a United States magistrate judge ordered Poydras held without bond pending trial, which is currently set for November 2.
The five-count indictment that led to Poydras’ arrest charges him with one count of distributing fentanyl resulting in death, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and two counts of possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
The five charges relate to three incidents:
In the first incident, Poydras allegedly sold to another drug dealer counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, officials stated.
After the January 22, 2020, transaction, the second drug dealer distributed the counterfeit pills to a 43-year-old victim who later suffered a fatal fentanyl overdose at his Marina del Rey residence.
As part of the investigation into the overdose death, DEA agents and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department executed a federal search warrant at Poydras’ residence on July 14, 2020, and, according to the indictment, seized cocaine and a .38-caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number, according to authorities.
In the third incident alleged in the indictment, Redondo Beach Police officers arrested Poydras on January 17, 2021, and recovered several suspected controlled substances, including counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
At the time, Poydras was allegedly carrying a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
Poydras is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted of the charges, he is facing up to life in prison.
The DEA, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Redondo Beach Police Department are investigating this matter, according to authorities.