Newport police arrest Watertown man for fentanyl distribution

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — The Newport Police Department arrested a Watertown man who was allegedly supplying fentanyl-laced cocaine to the city.

Jason Sumner was charged with two felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance.

Police said they learned of the distribution operation after an overdose in October, in which the victim ingested cocaine without knowing it was laced.

The victim survived and told police they were not aware of the fentanyl.

Detectives with the narcotics Unit investigated and allegedly learned Sumner was supplying the drugs and would be in the city to distribute more on Nov. 14.

Newport police stopped Sumner as he entered the city, and tested half an ounce of a substance he allegedly had with him that tested positive as fentanyl-laced cocaine.

Sumner was arraigned in Newport County District Court and he was held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

Massachusetts State Troopers assigned to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the arrest.