Two Riverhead men accused of distributing cocaine that led to the death of four people were charged Thursday.

Federal prosecutors say the overdoses happened during the summer of 2021 on the North Fork.

Authorities suspected a deadly batch of cocaine was being sold on the streets.

"It was a tragic story then as it is now," says Steve Chassmann, of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

Federal prosecutors say Marquis Douglas, 36, and Jesse Pace, 38, were charged with multiple drug offenses.

According to the indictment unsealed Thursday, the two men are accused of distributing cocaine laced with a fentanyl analog in Greenport.

When it was distributed on the street level, it led to the overdose deaths of four people and injured others.

Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement, "It is our hope that the federal prosecution of Douglas and Pace will bring some solace to the families of the four victims who died as a result of the defendants' actions."

Chassman hopes the charges will send a message to those who distribute illegal drugs on Long Island.

"We have no love for drug dealers, and I think the Suffolk County government, federal government with the indictments set a clear message that if you are going to contribute to the determent and demise and death of Long Islanders, New Yorkers, there will be severe consequences," Chassmann says.

Pace pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond. He will be back in court on July 20.

Douglas was already in custody on another charge and will be arraigned at a later date.