Potential Drug Dealer Found Unresponsive in a Missoula Motel

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On January 31, 2026, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to a report of an unresponsive male inside a room at the Motel 6 on East Broadway. The reporting party was delivering consumable goods to the male’s room. She said she knocked hard on the door, and the male was not answering or moving. 

An officer went to where the room was located and observed that the curtains were open. Through the window, the officer observed one male facedown on the floor, white powder just beyond the male’s location, and a smoking device in the male’s hand. The officer forcibly knocked on the door before opening it, announced he was with the Missoula police, and asked the male if he was ok. Then the officer pushed the male’s foot with his foot, which woke the male. 

The officer had the male sit on the bed and then asked the male if he was ok. The male, later identified as Nicholas Slead, stated he was good. Slead appeared to be nervously looking around the room and bouncing on the bed. The officer informed Slead that he could see the white powder on the ground. Then the officer told Slead that he needed to inform medical staff of what he had consumed, so he could receive proper care, and further, if he only possessed a user amount, he would not be charged. According to court documents, Slead stated he had consumed fentanyl. 

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The officer informed Slead that a pat search was necessary to ensure he did not have any weapons. The officer was also concerned that Snead may have dangerous drugs on his person that would cause harm to first responders, noting that only two milligrams (or the size of five grains of table salt) of fentanyl can be a lethal dose to someone.  

The officer located fentanyl in Slead’s coat pocket and removed the drugs. The size of the fentanyl powder appeared to be 3/4 the size of a baseball. The officer noted that, based on his training and experience, this appeared to be significantly more than a user amount of drugs.  

Another officer escorted Slead outside to be assessed by medical. Slead stated he purchased the fentanyl prior to leaving Seattle, Washington. Slead stated the amount of fentanyl he had was for personal use, not for distribution, and the price per gram in Seattle was approximately $50 per gram. Slead stated he used approximately three grams of fentanyl in a 24-hour period, and prior to law enforcement’s arrival, he had used a quarter of a gram.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

An officer took the fentanyl to the police department, where he found the total package weight was 24.15. A Missoula Drug Task Force Detective informed the officer that the typical cost of fentanyl is approximately $400 per gram. This makes the approximate street value of the suspected fentanyl $9,600, further supporting that the amount possessed by Slead was not for personal consumption. 

Slead was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony criminal possession with intent to distribute and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $25,000. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.