Blackstone man is charged with dealing fentanyl
BLACKSTONE – A local man is facing charges of trafficking in cocaine and the synthetic opioid fentanyl after a long-term investigation by members of the Blackstone Police Department and the regional Blackstone Valley Drug Task Force.
Michael K. Pitler, 38, was arrested early Monday morning after detectives issued a warrant to search his Michelle Lane home, Chief Ross A. Atstupenas announced.
Police say this isn’t the first time Pitler has been charged with trafficking in fentanyl, which is why one of the charges he’s facing is possession of the drug with intent to distribute as a repeat offender. He’s also charged with possession of cocaine and one count each of possession of cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute.
Atstupenas said the search of Pitler’s residence resulted in the seizure of 6.4 grams of cocaine and a quantity of suspected fentanyl, a lab-produced narcotic, many times more powerful than heroin, that health officials have linked to an increasing number of opioid-related overdose fatalities around the country.
“I am grateful for the hard work done by our Blackstone police officers and regional partners which resulted today in the removal of an alleged drug dealer from our community,” Atstupenas said. “The possible presence of fentanyl raises the level of urgency, as this substance is responsible for so much devastation.”
Pitler was held by the Blackstone Police Department pending arraignment in Uxbridge District Court.