After a month long narcotics investigation, the Mattapoisett Police Department has arrested John Decosta III on multiple counts, including drug possession with an intent to distribute.

Police officers observed Decosta, 28, of 1 Driscoll Lane engage in multiple hand-to-hand drug transactions, according to a statement put out by the department on Saturday. Narcotics officers also made multiple purchases of Fentanyl from Decosta over the past month.

According to police, Fentanyl is an opioid that is approximately 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine and approximately 40 to 50 times more potent than heroin. It has been linked to overdoses throughout the South Coast.

The search warrants produced 8.5 grams of Fentanyl, 29 30-milligram Percocet pills, anabolic steroids, scales, packaging material and 18 shotgun shells. Officers also seized $6,788 and a 2012 Chevy Malibu.

Decosta was subsequently charged with possession with the intent to distribute a class B substance (Fentanyl), possession with the intent to distribute a class B substances (Percocet), possession with intent to distribute a class B substance (methadone), possession of a class C substance (steroids) and possession of ammunition without an Firearms Identification card.

Detectives from the South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council Detectives Unit assisted with the investigation, which includes members of the Wareham, Marion, Fairhaven, Dartmouth, Somerset, Swansea and Seekonk police departments. Seekonk Police K-9 also assisted with the search.

Police urge anyone with information involving illegal drugs to leave an anonymous tip at 508-758-2211 or drugtips@mattapoisettpolice.com.