Smithfield Police K9 Exposed To Fentanyl During Massive Drug Bust

SMITHFIELD, RI — A Smithfield man is charged with possession with intent to distribute drugs, and Smithfield police K9 Ajax is back on the job after suffering from suspected exposure to fentanyl, after a drug bust on Gladstone Street. Police said Adriny Bernard, 32, was held without bail at an arraignment on Thursday after the bust where quick action on behalf of the officers may have saved Ajax's life.

Smithfield police said the bust was part of long investigation — which law enforcement in Massachusetts dubbed "Operation Mouse Trip" — involving multiple departments in Rhode Island and Massachusetts into drug distribution in East Providence and Fall River, Mass. Police said Ajax assisted Officer Dave Walsh in a warrant search executed about 6 a.m. on Dec. 20 that yielded 56 grams of cocaine, 11.2 ounces of an "unknown white powdery substance," 3.9 ounces of suspected carfentanyl, 47 bundles of suspected heroin/fentanyl weighing 17.5 bounces, a 1.8-ounce bag of heroin, a 13-gram bag of white powder and a seven-gram back of heroin.

Police said the search also discovered digital scales, a large box of packaging materials, a vacuum-sealing machine, cutting devices, drug-mixing materials and bags. The frame of a 2011 Yamaha motorcycle reported stolen in Malden, Mass. was also found.

Police said during the search Walsh noticed Ajax was acting distressed and quickly used Narcan on the dog. Ajax was then transported to Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in East Greenwich for further treatments. He showed symptoms of likely exposure to Fentanyl, including a low heart rate, and received additional Narcan through an IV catheter.

Ajax then recovered and returned to duty the next day.

An arrest warrant was issued for Bernard, who was not present during the warrant search. He was apprehended in East Providence on outstanding warrants out of Fall River. He was charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, possession of cocaine in excesses of one ounce, possession of heroin in excess of one ounce and possession of stolen vehicle parts.

He is next scheduled to appear in District Court on Jan. 2 for a status conference.