15 arrested in undercover drug sting at Kennedy Plaza

April 18, 2016 4:16 pm

By Alana Cerrone

acerrone@abc6.com

@Alana_Cerrone

15 men and women are being charged by Providence Police for selling prescription pills, cocaine, and other drugs in Kennedy Plaza.

Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare had a message for anyone planning to come to the city to deal drugs: "if you come to this plaza or city and deal drugs, expect to be arrested."

With help from a confidential source, undercover detectives were able to buy drugs from dealers they say frequent the area.

"This was a targeted operation which pursued individuals linked directly to the sale of drugs,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza.

Police say the drugs being sold included Klonopin, Xanax, Amphetamine and cocaine.

"It’s like a drug center inside the RIPTA bus terminal… you have strangers coming up to you asking you if you wanna buy…"

Helene Gabbidon says she sees drug deals here as early as 7 in the morning.

"A lot of people travel through here… if you’re looking to sell your customer base is a pretty good size."

Police say illegal dealing often leads to robberies and other street violence in Kennedy Plaza…so going forward there will be an increased presence of police officers.

By early afternoon…students who rely on RIPTA are coming through Kennedy Plaza to get home from school.

"We don’t have any evidence that drugs were being offered to children but we do have a lot of high school children who come through this plaza between 1 and 3 pm…we’ll continue to ensure a safe place here in Kennedy Plaza."

Police say often times after arrests are made dealers will move to another area, but they are still looking for suspects and more arrests will be made.