A three-count indictment was filed in federal court charging a Euclid man for having more than 900 fentanyl pills, crack cocaine and a firearm, according to Acting United States Attorney Carole Rendon.
Ryan Gaston, 29, was indicted on one count each of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Officials said Gaston was arrested on Feb. 3 in Cleveland Heights. After searching his car and apartment, police found rocks of crack cocaine, a 9 mm High Point rifle, and approximately 925 round blue pills believed to be Oxycodone 30mg pills.
A test, officials said, revealed the pills were not Oxycodone, but instead fentanyl--a very potent synthetic opiate used to treat pain and used as a surgical anesthetic.
“Each one of these pills is capable of killing a person,” Rendon said. “We will continue to attack the opioid problem from all sides – prevention, education, treatment and enforcement.”
