Huge Drug Bust in Missoula: Dealer Gets $1,000,000 Bond

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 7, 2024, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a local hotel after a housekeeper found a blue pill with “M30” markings on it. Deputies arrived and spoke with the manager who provided them the pill and stated the registered guest was 30-year-old Skyler Crowder.  

The manager stated she became suspicious when Crowder requested a room change after claiming the air conditioning was not working. Crowder was moved from room 106 to room 112. The manager went into room 106 to clean it and found the air conditioner was working normally. The manager stated she had found a single blue pill on the surface of a table in room 106. 

Based on their training and experience, deputies recognized the pill to be consistent with fentanyl. The manager requested Crowder be removed from the hotel and trespassed. Deputies made contact with Crowder in room 112.  

After opening the door, deputies began speaking with Crowder and noticed a pistol on the nightstand. A deputy told Crowder that they wished to speak to him regarding the blue pill left in room 106. Crowder denied taking any prescription medications and denied that anyone else was staying in the room with him. Crowder was removed from the room and a detective applied for a search warrant. 

Deputies Search Crowder's Room

Within the room, deputies found two loaded pistols. Deputies also found a ziplock baggie, which contained 5.7 grams of powdered fentanyl and a bulbous glass pipe. Court documents indicate that amount of fentanyl powder exceeds that commonly possessed for personal use and is equivalent to 1,900 lethal doses. 

Deputies also found a brown satchel in a cubby at the bottom of the nightstand. Inside the brown satchel, deputies located two baggies, which contained a combined weight of 289.3 grams of methamphetamine. According to court documents, that amount far exceeds the quantity typically possessed for personal use by a drug user and is equivalent of approximately 578-1,156 personal use doses. The satchel also contained a yellow scale.  

Deputies also found $7,000 in the freezer. While searching under the bed, deputies also found a plastic baggie containing 174.4 grams of blue M30 fentanyl pills. The detective estimated Crowder to be in possession of approximately 1,744 fentanyl pills, based on the 174.4 grams of blue M30 pills. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

A detective also observed surveillance video of the foot traffic outside room 106. Over a 24-hour period, Crowder’s room was visited by approximately 12 different individuals. According to the detective, the footage showed several individuals who appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. 

Crowder was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with two counts of felony criminal possession with intent to distribute and three counts of felony unlawful use/possession of property subject to criminal forfeiture. His bond was set at $1,000,000. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.