Waterford — One officer was hospitalized Monday after he was exposed to fentanyl during a traffic stop and later began feeling lightheaded, according to police.

Police said the officer stopped a vehicle on state Route 85 on Monday and arrested Nicholas Constantine of Charlestown, R.I., on charges including possession of heroin. While the officer searched the car, police said, he was exposed to fentanyl that was mixed in with the heroin.

Police said the officer began feeling lightheaded and sick and experienced an elevated heart rate while he was processing the prisoner at the department.

A crew from Waterford Ambulance, fearing an overdose, responded to the department’s holding area and transported the officer to the hospital. Police said the officer was released after a period of testing and observation and reported to work Tuesday.

Police said personnel in personal protective equipment secured the heroin and fentanyl, which is being stored in a vented locker in the department’s evidence room.

Constantine, who posted a $15,000 bond, is facing charges of possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, unauthorized manufacture/distribution/sale of drugs by a person who is not drug-dependent and failure to drive in the proper lane.