RHODE ISLAND CONNECTION U.S. Attorney for RI Peter Neronha Monday announced 11 arrests in a Dominican heroin ring linked to Mexican drug cartels. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

RI drug raids nets Dominicans linked to Mexican cartels

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Posted: 5/14/2012 11:32:29 AM
Updated: 5/14/2012 1:18:47 PM

Federal authorities Monday announced the arrests of 11 suspects late last week in a Dominican heroin peddling ring with suspected ties to Mexican drug cartels.

At a news conference, U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island Peter Neronha said the 11 were arrested last Thursday and Friday in in Providence, Cranston, North Providence, Pawtucket and four people were arrested at a home in West Warwick.  During the raids, federal agents, along with State and local police seized about three kilograms of heroin, 200 grams of cocaine, about $450,000 in cash, a substantial amount of high-end jewelry, 12 vehicles and five firearms, four of which were loaded.

"This was no small-time drug trafficking organization," Neronha said. "These alleged drug dealers had every tool to make their drug dealing operation a success.  Large quantities of narcotics onhand, large amounts of cutting material to make those large quantities go even farther, an international source of supply, plenty of cash, and those all-too familiar tools of the trade, loaded and fully operational firearms."

"The scourge of drug trafficking in Rhode Island and elsewhere in New England has been substantially reduced by the FBI, the DEA, the United States Attorney's office and the several Rhode Island law enforcement agencies standing before you today," said Richard "Rick" DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Field Office. 

"Simply put, we took out... we took the wheels off a significant drug trafficking organization," DesLauriers said.

The 11 suspects have all appeared in federal court, and were ordered detained.

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