Missoula Police Arrest Man for Possession of 76 Fentanyl Pills

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 10, 2024, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to a report of a male passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle with paraphernalia in his hand at the Albertsons on 3800 Russell Street. The complainant advised the male was unresponsive and “twitching.”  

An officer arrived on the scene, located the car, and observed the male with his eyes closed. The officer also observed what he recognized as a “tooter” straw in the male’s hand. The officer knows through his training and experience that a “tooter” straw is commonly used to ingest dangerous drugs.  

The officer knocked on the window and the male opened his eyes. The male declined medical attention. The officer inquired about the “tooter” straw, which the male responded was marijuana.  

The officer had the male exit the vehicle. Upon opening the door and exiting, the officer observed burnt residue on aluminum foil and a half-burnt blue pill on the male’s lap. The officer immediately recognized the pill as Fentanyl.  

The male was identified as 27-year-old Christian Petersen and he was arrested. A search incident to arrest yielded multiple bags with blue Fentanyl pills. The officer asked Petersen for consent to search his vehicle, which Petersen allowed. During the search, the officer located additional aluminum foil with burnt residue and an additional half-burnt blue pill. 

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In total, seventy-six pills were located on Petersen. According to court documents, Petersen is currently in the diversion program from Montana’s Fourth Judicial District Court. 

Petersen was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.  

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