34-year-old Dartmouth man pleads not guilty in Fall River court, held on bail, after arrest on drug trafficking and distribution charges

A local man was arraigned in Fall River Superior Court on multiple drug charges Thursday.

According to police, the target of the investigation was identified as 34-year-old Jeremiah Cowart of Dartmouth. Following extensive investigative efforts, detectives obtained a search warrant for Cowart’s house located on Huntington Avenue in Dartmouth.

On the date of execution, Cowart was taken into custody by Dartmouth Police detectives after fleeing from his house and running into the wooded area behind the residence. The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT Team made entry into and secured the target residence. The Dartmouth Police Department’s K-9 Unit and Drone Unit also provided assistance during the investigation and the execution of the search warrant. Detectives conducted a search, and the following items were recovered:

· Approximately 21 grams of suspected Fentanyl

· A bag containing suspected Oxycodone tablets weighing Approximately 6 grams

· $4,013 in cash

· Scales and packaging materials consistent with the distribution of illegal narcotics

· A hydraulic press used to compress powdered narcotics into a compressed state

As a result of the investigation and evidence recovered, Cowart was placed under arrest and was charged with Fentanyl Trafficking More Than 10 Grams, Possess to Distribute Class A Subsequent Offense, and Possess to Distribute Class B Subsequent Offense.

Cowart was previously arraigned in New Bedford District Court.

According to court records, Cowart was indicted earlier this month in Fall River Superior Court on Fentanyl Trafficking More Than 10 Grams and Possess to Distribute a Class B Drug.

On Thursday he pled not guilty and bail was set at $100,000 surety/$10,000 cash.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for March 19th.

The lead investigator on the case was Dartmouth Police Detective Matthew Desrosiers.