Hilton hotel no longer a narcotics investigation
By: News Staff
news@abc6.com
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence Police announced Thursday they have ruled out narcotics after police believed they were looking at the remnants of a drug lab Tuesday afternoon at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Providence Police Maj. David Lapatin said with the assistance of the FBI and Secret Service, they are focusing on a different, "unusual" situation of a rare black money scam.
"A couple people will come in. They’ll try and spot somebody that they believe has some wealth, some fluid cash."
Police say that’s exactly what these two suspects did.
They approached a man outside of a Providence restaurant, claiming to be from West Africa.
They said they had smuggled a massive amount of cash into the U.S. and in order to sneak it in, they had to dye it black.
In reality, it’s just black paper.
"They use a … pull a quick switch."
In this case, it almost worked.
These two suspects convinced a man that they needed money to buy more chemicals to clean the rest of the alleged dyed cash. In turn, they would all share the wealth.
The victim in this case was ready to hand over tens of thousands of dollars.
He showed up to the hotel Tuesday night to meet the suspects where they were supposed to show him the chemical process of cleaning the bills.
That’s when their ploy took a turn, and smoke started pouring from their hotel room out into the hallway. All of them fled when the smoke detector in the room went off around 4 p.m.
Authorities say the hotel’s chief engineer checked the room and then called 911 when a cloud of white smoke became visible.
As first responders searched the room for any occupants, they came across a hazmat suit and mask on the bathroom floor, close to the bathtub where hot water was left running.
Money in tin foil next to the bed, and several plastic bags on the bureau, and in the closet were also found.
The entire hotel was evacuated until the air was cleared, and according to police, the smoke was actually chemical-based steam.
"What we believe caused the smoke was ammonia, and it was steamed and that ammonia became overwhelming for the people in the room."
That’s why police got the call. So far, they haven’t been able to nab these two suspects but they’re working with the secret service to find them.
In the meantime they’re advising the public to use common sense.
"There is no way to make fast money in this life."
The investigation is ongoing.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016
