A father-son duo was taken into custody in Blackstone after cops found a stash of drugs and an unlicensed gun in their home. The bust comes as the culmination of a comprehensive investigation that spanned months and roped in federal agents.
According to a Boston Globe report, 45-year-old Michael Pitler is facing charges for possessing a class B substance, while his 21-year-old son, Zachary, is slapped with several charges including trafficking cocaine and possessing a firearm without a permit. Authorities descended on the Pitlers' Michelle Lane digs at about 10 a.m., with officers from various local and state departments, including the Worcester DEA, involved in the search.
Following their arrest, Michael Pitler stood before a judge on Friday in Uxbridge District Court; however, details of his arraignment remain undisclosed. "Our department takes our commitment to narcotics enforcement seriously and will not stop pursuing dealers who make Blackstone their base of operations," Chief Gregory Gilmore was quoted in a statement obtained by Boston 25 News.
Zachary Pitler awaits his day in court with a scheduled arraignment for Tuesday. The operation included a multitude of policing bodies such as Blackstone and Milford police, as well as federal agencies, to book the duo without incident. "Through these arrests, we have removed a significant amount of narcotics from our community," Chief Gilmore said. Heaping praise on the collaborative effort, Gilmore lauded the professionalism of all agencies involved.
