Providence police arrest dozens in drug trafficking ring bust

May 25, 2017 11:50 am

By: News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence police announced Thursday morning that they arrested dozens of people in connection to a ten-month drug trafficking investigation known as “Operation Stop the Flow.”

Providence police announced that 30 people were arrested and six of them are high level opioid dealers in Providence. Each of the 30 arrested are facing multiple felony drug charges.

The ringleader was identified as 26-year-old Johan Jimenez of Providence. He is facing the most serious charges as detectives believe he lead the charge in the capital city as a major supplier of heroin and fentanyl.

In total, one kilogram of heroin mixed with fentanyl and $65,000 cash was seized by police. Jimenez was also found with a loaded gun at the time of his arrest.

24 of the 30 arrested were mid-level dealers from Fall River and New Bedford while the other six high level players operated out of Providence.

Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare addressed the bust saying they are happy to take these lethal drugs off the streets.

Providence police also issued a stern warning to other drug dealers that this is only the beginning of their investigation.

Police tell ABC6 News that this investigation is ongoing and there are still six active warrants out at the moment for suspects in Massachusetts who they are still trying to track down.