FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 10, 2026

MIAMI – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) South Florida State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) Task Force arrested Raul Cruz, 32 of Miami, on one count of first-degree murder. 

“The fight against fentanyl in Florida continues. The implementation of the S.A.F.E. Task Force in South Florida has helped secure charges like murder and manslaughter and exposes those pushing this poison into our communities,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “Our fight is not over, so we will continue to work with our partners in this task force to keep our streets safe.”

“Fentanyl continues to harm our community and devastate families. Holding those responsible for distributing this deadly drug accountable remains a top priority for the Miami Police Department,” said Miami Police Chief Edwin Lopez. “This arrest highlights the importance of strong partnerships among our law enforcement agencies and reinforces our ongoing commitment to protecting the residents we serve.”

“As the curse of the drug fentanyl continues to take the lives of Floridians of all ages, those peddling the drug need to recognize that Florida will hold each drug dealer responsible for each death.  Have no doubt about it,” said Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “Fentanyl can be as much of a murder weapon as a gun or a knife. My office, alongside FDLE, will continue our fight against this deadly drug.”

On Monday, June 30, 2025, at approximately 4:45 p.m., City of Miami Police officers responded to the 400 block of NW 10^th Street after receiving a 911 call about an unresponsive female, who possibly overdosed. Miami Fire Rescue responded and pronounced her deceased on scene.

The investigation revealed that Cruz was with the victim, Natasha Toral, 63, of Miami, at the time of her death and detectives located drug paraphernalia near the victim.

 Detectives made contact with Cruz on the scene, who was sweating profusely and had constricted pupils. Officers discovered that Cruz was in possession of numerous needles and three small baggies with possible narcotics. 

Agents used a fentanyl field test kit, which confirmed that the substance was fentanyl. Cruz was arrested and charged with possession of fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to use.

Investigators determined Cruz and Toral had communicated less than an hour before the 911 call was placed. The messages exchanged discussed purchasing narcotics and that Cruz would be at Toral’s location shortly. After the apparent overdose, Cruz obtained a cell phone from a nearby witness and called 911.

The autopsy conducted by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that Toral’s cause of death was acute combined drug toxicity of fentanyl and cocaine.

On Sept. 2, Cruz was arrested and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight (TGK) Detention Center in West Miami-Dade.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

 The investigation remains active.

The S.A.F.E. grant program was established in 2023 by the Florida Legislature to conduct investigations designed to combat illegal fentanyl activity. Since its implementation, Florida law enforcement has made more than 2,910 arrests and has seized more than 610 pounds of fentanyl, 780 pounds of cocaine, 518 pounds of methamphetamine, 995 firearms more than $6.5 million.

The South Florida S.A.F.E. Task Force consists of agents and detectives with the FDLE, Doral Police Department, Florida International University Police Department, Hialeah Police Department, Medley Police Department, Miami Police Department, Miami Springs Police Department and Sweetwater Police Department.

For Further Information Contact

FDLE Office of Public Information

Info@fdle.state.fl.us