Three charged in Providence marijuana growing operation
By News Staff
news@abc6.com
Three people have been charged in connection to a large scale marijuana growing operation in Providence.
The arrests were the result of an ongoing FBI investigation that revealed approximately 1,400 marijuana plants inside vacant apartments and offices of the mill building located at 725 Branch Avenue.
Nine federal search warrants were issued at the building on Branch Avenue, and a tenth at a residence on Valley Street, where agents found about 100 more plants. They also seized a .22 caliber firearm, ammunition, and $14,000 in cash.
35-year-old Richard L. Yang, of the Valley Street residence, was arrested and released to home confinement and electronic monitoring, charged in federal court with manufacturing over 100 marijuana plants, and conspiracy to manufacture.
69-year-old William L. Ricci, the owner and resident of the Branch Avenue facility, was released following an initial appearance on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
A third person was arrested and charged in state court in connection to the investigation.
© WLNE-TV 2015
