Massive Fentanyl Bust On Martha's Vineyard: Police

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MA — A Martha's Vineyard man was arrested this week and charged with trafficking more than 100 grams of fentanyl — the equivalent of about 600 hits, according to police. Alex Carlson, 30, of Edgartown, was charged with fentanyl trafficking (more than 10 grams) and resisting arrest. He was held on $100,000 bail — a high amount that a judge defended by comparing the potential charges in the case to that of murder due to the deadliness of fentanyl.

The Martha's Vineyard Drug Task Force said officers arrested Carlson Monday at about 9 p.m. at the Vineyard Haven Steam Ship Authority terminal. (Sign up for free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts from Martha's Vineyard Patch.)

"Officers approached Carlson and identified themselves as he walked off the ferry," the task force said in a statement. "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 task force said the arrest was the result of a months-long undercover investigation into Carlson that involved controlled drug purchases. Upon his arrest, he was found with 103 grams of fentanyl, $388 in cash and a cell phone. He will be arraigned in Edgartown District Court on Friday.

Edgartown District Court Clerk Magistrate Liza Williamson issued a rare statement about the high bail amount for Carlson.

"The amount of fentanyl seized from the defendant is equivalent to approximately 600 'hits'," Williamson said in her statement. "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."

Carlson has a "significant criminal history," police said.

Photo: A bag of 103 grams of fentanyl that police said they seized from Alex Carlson. (Credit: Martha's Vineyard Drug Task Force)