In what should have been a routine traffic stop for texting while driving, Massachusetts State Police troopers made a significant bust in the early hours of May 1. Trooper Stelvio Neto, fresh out of the academy, along with his training officer Trooper Quinn Indio were on the lookout on Pleasant Street in Fall River, when they spotted a driver, face aglow from the light of his cellphone.

After pulling over the Nissan SUV, Trooper Neto found the reason behind the driver's distraction was more than just a message chat, his license was suspended, making the stop anything but mundane. The driver, identified as MICHAEL COUTO, 55, of Fall River, was taken into custody. A subsequent search revealed he was apparently not just breaking traffic laws, but was allegedly deeply involved in the drug trade.

A search of COUTO yielded a golf ball-sized baggie of fentanyl, and a smaller bag of crack cocaine on his person. The troopers then searched the Nissan, finding a stash of fentanyl packages and a stun gun in a backpack. The lack of a required license to carry added to COUTO's criminal charges, as reported by Massachusetts State Police News.

With roughly 79 grams of fentanyl and 8 grams of crack cocaine on him, COUTO was booked for trafficking and possession with intent to distribute, among other charges. In the end, what began as a violation for using an electronic device while driving became a much larger ordeal for COUTO who faces multiple drug-related charges.

COUTO was arraigned at the Fall River District Court facing an array of charges including trafficking in Fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine (subsequent offense), possession of cocaine (subsequent offense), possession of an electric stun gun, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and holding an electronic device while driving.