Providence Police Narcotics and Organized Crime Bureau conduct Operation HubCap to combat open air drug dealing in Kennedy Plaza
PROVIDENCE, RI- After receiving numerous complaints of open air drug dealing in Kennedy Plaza, the Providence Police Narcotics Bureau began a long term investigation into the issue. Over a course of several months there were complaints from the Downtown Improvement District, the Providence Chamber of Commerce and other businesses in the area. The operation was named HubCap by Sergeant Roger Aspinall because Kennedy Plaza is the transportation "Hub" of Rhode Island's capital city.
Leading this operation were Investigators John Black and Sean Comella. John Black worked undercover and made numerous purchases of heroin and other prescription medication. All members of the narcotics bureau assisted in this operation. Investigators were able to generate a cooperating informant, who agreed to purchase narcotics in the Kennedy Plaza area of the city. Detective Andrew Lawton, who is detailed to FBI Safe Streets, was a valuable contributor to this operation as were members of the Patrol Bureau and the park rangers who helped police positively identify the drug dealers.
At the onset of the operation Investigators were purchasing mostly prescription medications. The cooperating informant quickly became known in the plaza as a person looking to "buy" and the purchases became frequent. Members of the Narcotics Bureau worked mornings, afternoons, and evenings to buy from different dealers. Officer Black then began making undercover purchases of heroin.
Investigators were able to identify one of the major local suppliers of heroin to the downtown area. He is considered one of the primary targets in this investigation and is a known gang member. The target made deliveries in rented vehicles and on his motorcycle. Investigators learned that he stayed at houses on Mitchell Street, Belmont Avenue (a known gang house) and Laura St. Search warrants were obtained for 128 Mitchell, 71 Belmont, and a car in the rear of 91 Laura. The target has not yet been apprehended but there is a warrant for his arrest and police are actively looking for him.
On July 22 Officer Black contacted the target hoping to make another drug buy but instead he sent another known gang member, Joseph Franklin (DOB 12/13/88) and two females Kassandra Cruz (DOB 1/23/93) and Ana Cruzado (DOB 9/25/89) downtown to Washington Street to sell Officer Black heroin. All three were arrested and charged with unlawful delivery of heroin and conspiracy. Cruz was also charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin. She had 25 more bags approximately 10 grams of heroin stuffed in her bra.
The search warrants for Mitchell Street, Belmont Avenue, and Laura Street were executed. Heroin was found at 128 Mitchell Street, a .380 caliber firearm and a bullet proof vest were seized from Belmont Avenue and a 410 sawed off shotgun, crack cocaine, and 9mm bullets were seized from the vehicle on Laura Street. The sawed off shotgun was a "community gun" for gang use. A 16-year-old female was charged with the firearm and the vest from Belmont Avenue and sent to the training school.
On July 23 search warrants were executed at 36 Greely Street and 392 Pine Street in response to numerous complaints of drug dealing made to investigators. Subjects who sell in Kennedy Plaza reside at these addresses and also sell from their residences. From Greely Street a subject identified as Barry Tremblay (DOB 11/18/89) was charged with three counts of unlawful delivery and conspiracy. Justin McFadden (DOB 7/23/83) was charged with unlawful delivery of heroin, conspiracy, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (dextroamphetamine). From 392 Pine Street a subject identified as Francisco Perez (DOB 1/29/55) was charged with possession of heroin with intent to deliver, and a Joseph Ortiz (DOB 8/29/93) was charged with possession of a controlled substance (ecstacy). Six subjects who were wanted for delivering drugs were apprehended in the downtown area on July 23 and two more on July 24.
On July 24 narcotics officers were in district court when a subject who sold heroin to Officer Black at 392 Pine Street, and was previously unidentified, was spotted in the courtroom. The subject was identified as Raul Vega (DOB 11/3/60.) He was apprehended and charged with unlawful delivery of heroin.
Two other subjects who were wanted as part of operation HubCap for delivery of narcotics were arrested previous to the search warrants being executed. Salvatore Gentile (DOB 8/26/82) was arrested for larceny from the auto in downtown and is at the ACI. Another subject, Stephen Moranta (DOB 12/20/91) encountered Officer Black while he was off duty in the City of Warwick. Moranta was arrested immediately and was charged with unlawful delivery of heroin.
21 individuals have been apprehended, including one juvenile, and there are outstanding warrants for 15 subjects who are wanted for delivering drugs.
"Operation HubCap targeted street level dealers in an effort to disrupt the open air drug market in the Downtown and Kennedy Plaza area. This drug activity has a very negative impact of the quality of life downtown for the business community and for the law abiding citizens. This is all part of our continuing effort to rid the city of drugs and violence. The Department is grateful for the Narcotics and Organized Crime Bureau's tireless efforts in this investigation, which culminated in outstanding arrests," said Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
"Today we are sending a strong message that illegal activity will not be tolerated in Providence. Everyone who lives, works, owns a business and visits our city should know that we are committing to revitalizing Downtown Providence. Reinventing Kennedy Plaza and transforming it into a cultural and commercial gateway to our city is one of my top economic development priorities. I commend Police Chief Col. Hugh Clements and the entire Providence Police Department for their continued efforts to serve and protect our city," said Mayor Angel Taveras.