MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Two Miami-Dade County inmates died and several others were hospitalized Wednesday night after suspected drug overdoses at the Pretrial Detention Center, the Miami Herald reported.
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department Interim Director Daniel Junior confirmed the deaths in a statement, but would not speculate about how the men died.
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"(The) Miami Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department would like to extend our condolences to the families of the deceased," Junior said. "MDCR correctional officers responded appropriately and timely to a medical emergency to include emergency room transportation. (The) Miami-Dade Police Department is conducting an investigation, which is the normal protocol. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, no further comment can be made at this time."
Miami-Dade police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta said there is no way to determine the cause of death for the inmates, who the Herald identified as Juan Salgado, 24, and Jesus Perdomo, 25, until autopsy reports have been released.
According to the Herald, the men are suspected to have overdosed on heroin or fentanyl.
Authorities said the City of Miami Fire Rescue Department received three medical calls from the detention center Wednesday night regarding inmates in need of medical assistance.
Records show that Salgado was awaiting trial on a murder charge, which was scheduled to begin at the end of February. He was accused of fatally shooting Christian McKenzie, 21, in November 2013.
The Herald reported that Perdomo had been on probation for a 2009 murder conviction and was arrested in July on suspicion of driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana.