Edgartown man charged with trafficking in fentanyl


EDGARTOWN
– On Monday at approximately 9:15 PM, Officers assigned to the Martha’s Vineyard Drug Task Force arrested Alex Carlson, 30, of Edgartown, MA for Trafficking in more than 10 grams of Fentanyl (MGL 94C/32E (c1/2)) and resisting arrest (MGL 268/32B).

MV Task Force officers arrested Carlson subsequent to executing a search warrant at the Vineyard Haven Steam Ship Authority terminal. The search warrant was issued by the Edgartown District Court authorizing the search of Alex Carlson for heroin or fentanyl. A months-long investigation into the distribution of heroin and fentanyl by Carlson included controlled purchases of Fentanyl from him.

Officers approached Carlson and identified themselves as he walked off the ferry. Carlson immediately resisted officer’s efforts to take him into custody in order to conduct a search of him. In an obvious attempt to destroy whatever he had in his pocket he attempted to pull officers towards the water. After a brief struggle officers were able to take him into custody.

The following items were seized from Carlson’s person:
• Approximately 103 grams of suspected fentanyl (pure white powdery substance wrapped in green cellophane plastic)
• Cell phone
• $388.00

Carlson will be arraigned in Edgartown District Court on Friday. He is currently being held on $100,000 cash bail.

Edgartown District Court Clerk Magistrate Liza H. Williamson provided the following statement in regards to the high bail amount:

The amount of fentanyl seized from the defendant is equivalent to approximately 600 “hits”. The sale of such a high number of fentanyl hits would likely result in a death and a potentially legally viable charge of manslaughter. Because fentanyl is such a life threatening narcotic, appropriate bail must reflect the actual potential charges. The most recent information provided by the DEA is that fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin. As such, the nature and circumstances of the charge are reasonably closer to homicide under the above circumstances.

She also cited a significant criminal history as a factor.
Media release and photo furnished by Marthas Vineyard Drug Task Force via Edgartown Police



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