Somerset police charge pair with dealing fentanyl

SOMERSET -- The Somerset Police Department arrested a man and woman and charged them with dealing fentanyl Wednesday, according to a press release.

 Tyler Devoll Jr., 31, of Swansea, was charged with: possession with intent to distribute a Class A drug (fentanyl); possession of a Class B drug (cocaine); possession of a Class C drug (dlonazepam); possession of a Class E drug (gabapentin).

Ashley Cottrell, 31, of Somerset, was charged with: possession with intent to distribute a Class A drug (fentanyl); possession of a Class B drug (cocaine); possession of a Class B drug (adderall); speeding, failure to use a turn signal.

At approximately 4:36 p.m. on Wednesday, a Somerset Police officer was conducting traffic enforcement on High Street, near School Street, when he clocked a driver going 42 miles per hour in a 30 miles per hour zone.

The officer then observed the driver turn down Dublin Street without using a turn signal. The officer followed as the driver then quickly turned down a long driveway stopping outside of a home.

The officer followed the vehicle down the driveway. It was later determined that Devoll and Cottrell did not know the people whose driveway they pulled into.

While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, a Somerset Police detective notified the officers on scene that they had recently received information that Devoll and Cottrell were allegedly actively selling narcotics in town. Devoll also had an active warrant for his arrest.

Officers observed drug paraphernalia in plain sight on Devoll's lap.

Through the subsequent investigation Devoll and Cottrell were placed under arrest. In searching the vehicle, officers located and seized fentanyl, cocaine, adderall, gabapentin, clonazepam, a digital scale, drug paraphernalia and $1,129.51.

"This was great work by our officers who were able to get these drugs off the streets by means of a routine traffic stop," Chief George McNeil said. "Both of these parties are known to police here in town and this was the second drug bust by our officers in the span of a few days. Great work all around."

Both were expected to be arraigned Thursday.