Crime & Safety
Man Charged In Salem Crash Found With Fentanyl In Cell: Police
Salem police said the man charged early Sunday morning was found with fentanyl "strewn across" the floor of his jail cell nine hours later.
SALEM, MA — A man charged with operating under the influence of drugs in a Balcomb Street crash early Sunday morning is now also facing fentanyl charges after a bag of the drug was later found strewn across the floor of his jail cell, Salem police said.
Police said about nine hours after the crash Andre Gauthier, 27, was found during a cell check with a bag containing "a white, powdery substance" by his feet with powder scattered across the floor of the cell.
The Salem Fire Department and a Hazardous Materials Response Unit responded and police said the cell was secured decontaminated. Police said an investigation determined the suspect "secreted the substance in his clothing."
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Police said Gauthier was then charged with fentanyl possession.
Police said they responded to the crash about 2 a.m. where Gauthier was charged with OUI and "numerous other mother vehicle charges."
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