Narcotics Probes Leads Multiple Arrests, Gun And Drug Seizures: Cops

PROVIDENCE, RI — Three narcotics investigations led to multiple arrests and the seizure of more than 2.2 kilograms of drugs and four firearms, police said.

"The investigations, conducted in the areas of Ontario Street, Dixon Street and Hawkins Street, resulted in multiple arrests and charges involving the alleged possession and distribution of cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as firearms offenses," the Providence Department of Public Safety said in a media release.

“These investigations demonstrate the continued commitment of our Narcotics Bureau to disrupting the distribution of dangerous drugs and removing illegal firearms from our neighborhoods,” Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said in the release.

“The seizure of more than two kilograms of suspected narcotics and four firearms in these three investigations represents significant work by our detectives and our department’s ongoing efforts to protect the residents of Providence,” Perez said.

Police executed a search warrant on an Ontario Street apartment Thursday and seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, a German Sport Guns .22-caliber pistol, ammunition and magazines, and digital scales containing suspected cocaine residue, according to the release.

"The investigation identified Rashard Crum, 34, as a subject allegedly involved in the distribution of narcotics," the release said. "Crum is currently incarcerated in Pennsylvania on an unrelated matter."

While he is already locked up, police are "seeking an arrest warrant charging Crum with multiple narcotics and firearms offenses, including possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and firearm offenses related to the alleged possession of narcotics," according to the release.

Two others in the apartment at the time of the search were detained but released pending further investigation, the release said.

Also Thursday, police executed a search warrant at a residence on Dixon Street and seized cocaine, a 9 mm pistol, two loaded 9 mm magazines, a holster, two phones and a vehicle, and also arrested 27-year-old Jeffrey Gonzalez, according to the release.

Gonzalez was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of cocaine and possession of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, the release said.

A day prior, police executed a search warrant at a Hawkins Street residence and seized cocaine, methamphetamine, a .22-caliber Derringer revolver and two digital scales containing suspected cocaine residue, as well as arresting two men, according to the release.

Robert Hunt, 56, was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm while committing a crime of violence and possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a crime of violence, the release said.

Christopher Pagan, 32, was charged with possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a crime of violence.

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