Rhode Island State police have arrested an alleged Jamaican drug trafficker for possession of over 50 pounds of marijuana and a .40 caliber Glock pistol. ABC6 Reporter Malini Basu has more...

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On Friday, June 12, 2009, members of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Unit, along with uniformed Troopers from the Wickford Barracks, arrested Orville G. Watson, age 31, of 119 Alger Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island, for possession of marijuana - over 5-kilograms, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, possession of a stolen firearm, and conspiracy.  Also, HIDTA members arrested Elizabeth L. Mahoney, age 37, of 69 Shady Lea Road, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, for possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, and conspiracy.  

This arrest was a result of HIDTA members developing information from a source that a female subject at 69 Shady Lea Road, North Kingstown, was accepting large parcel packages containing marijuana for a Jamaican male subject that resides in the City of Providence.  A preliminary investigation revealed that packages sent to the above-listed address were being shipped from the State of California and contained fictitious information consistent with transportation methods used by drug traffickers. 

On the above date, HIDTA members conducted a surveillance of the dwelling and observed a female subject accept two (2) large parcel packages from a parcel delivery person.   Shortly thereafter, HIDTA members observed both the female subject and an unknown male subject place the two (2) packages inside a parked motor vehicle.  Before leaving the location, both subjects were detained and questioned regarding the contents of the parcel packages.  The two subjects were formally identified as Orville Watson and Elizabeth Mahoney.  A consensual search of the apartment resulted in the seizure of a small quantity of marijuana.  

As a result of the ongoing investigation, HIDTA members prepared a court-authorized search warrant for the seized parcel packages and for Watson's residence located in the City of Providence.  The search warrants were presented and signed by District Court Judge Raphael Ovalles.  As a result of executing the search warrants, detectives seized over fifty (50) pounds of marijuana, $6,189.00 in United States currency, a stolen .40 caliber semi-automatic firearm, two (2) digital scales, drug packaging material, multiple shipping receipts, and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.

A check with the Bureau of Immigration, Customs & Enforcement (ICE) revealed that Watson was in the United States illegally from the Country of Jamaica and a criminal history check revealed that he has a prior arrest record in the State of Connecticut for narcotic offenses. 

Both defendants were transported to the State Police Lincoln Woods Barracks where they were processed before being arraigned by Justice of the Peace Richard Finnegan.   As a result of the arraignments, both defendants were held without bail and remanded to the Adult Correctional Institution pending a bail review in 4th District Court.  Furthermore, an immigration detainer was lodged at the prison for Watson.

-From the Rhode Island State Police