Growing number of dealers charged with death after selling to people who overdose

Mike Millette sits in the visitors center at the state prison in Concord, N.H., on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. Millette's friend, Ed Martin III, had been found dead in the bathroom of a convenience store, slumped over on his knees with a needle and a residue-stained spoon in his pocket. He’d mainlined fentanyl, an opioid up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. Martin's overdose would bring tears to his eyes. But he was scared, too. He was his dealer, the man who'd sold him his final fix. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) Mike Millette sits in the visitors center at the state prison in Concord, N.H., on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. Millette's friend, Ed Martin III, had been found dead in the bathroom of a convenience store, slumped over on his knees with a needle and a residue-stained spoon in his pocket. He’d mainlined fentanyl, an opioid up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. Martin's overdose would bring tears to his eyes. But he was scared, too. He was his dealer, the man who'd sold him his final fix. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

By Associated Press August 15, 2016 12 min read

LITTLETON, N.H. (AP) – He knew he was in trouble even before he read the text message: “Did u hear what hapnd 2 ed?”

Ed Martin III had been found dead in the bathroom of a convenience store, slumped over on his knees with a needle and a residue-stained spoon in his pocket. He’d mainlined fentanyl, an opioid up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A pink plastic bag of white powder sat on the sink.

Michael Millette had heard. The overdose death of his friend, just 28, brought tears to his eyes. But he was scared, too. He was Martin’s dealer, the man who’d sold him his final fix.

In panic, Millette fled to Vermont. But within a day he was back, selling again. He needed money for his own habit.

Now, though, police had a tip that “Mike on Main Street” had been Martin’s dealer. Undercover officers began watching his furtive deals on a pedestrian bridge behind his apartment; they secretly photographed his visitors. After he sold drugs to an informant, they swooped in and arrested him.