Massachusetts State Police, Plymouth Police arrest two on drug and gun charges after fatal overdose

PLYMOUTH – Two people are under arrest, charged with drug and gun charges after an extensive Massachusetts State Police investigation, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has announced. 

After responding to a fatal fentanyl overdose in Plymouth in June, Massachusetts State Police seized the overdose victim’s cell phone for further investigation. A scroll analysis of the phone determined that a telephone number that was likely tied to an individual who provided the victim with the fatal bag of fentanyl. That cell phone number belonged to Claudette Ylitalo, 47. 

As part of this ongoing investigation, from July through August, the Plymouth County State Police Detective Unit, assisted by the MSP Gang Unit South Team, CINRET South Team, and Plymouth Police, completed multiple undercover purchases of fentanyl, methadone, and cocaine. 

On August 19, MSP sought and received a knock and announce, all persons present, daytime search warrant for a residence at 2 Tide View Path. On Thursday, at approximately 6:30 a.m., police executed the search warrant at that residence, and Ylitalo, was arrested without incident. Police seized an amount of suspected Fentanyl and suspected liquid Methadone at the residence. A black and silver 9 mm handgun with a defaced serial number was additionally seized. As a result, James Howe, 26, was taken into custody. Ylitalo and Howe were transported to the MSP Bourne Barracks where they were booked and processed.

Ylitalo is charged with one count each of Possession of Class A Substance, Fentanyl, 2.5 grams, and Possession of Methadone.

Howe is charged with one count each of Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number, Possession of Ammunition, and Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card.