BLACKSTONE — Two Rhode Island men face drug and firearm charges following a traffic stop by the Blackstone Police Department last week, according to Chief Gregory Gilmore.
Ibrahim Sylla, 23, of Woonsocket, RI, was charged with possession of a Class B substance (cocaine), possession of a firearm without a license, and an unregistered motor vehicle equipment violation.
Billy Inthaphone, 30, also of Woonsocket, was charged with possession of a Class B substance (cocaine).
The incident occurred on Friday, Jan. 26, around 10:40 p.m., when a Blackstone Police sergeant pulled over an unregistered vehicle for emitting loud exhaust noise.
During the stop, it was discovered that both the driver, Sylla, and the passenger, Inthaphone, had active arrest warrants.
After placing the men under arrest without incident, officers searched the vehicle prior to towing and found multiple small bags of white powder that tested positive for cocaine.
A .22-caliber Beretta semi-automatic pistol was discovered under the driver’s seat.
Sylla is not licensed to carry a firearm.
Following the search, Sylla and Inthaphone were booked at the Blackstone Police Station.
Chief Gilmore commended his officers’ work, saying, “This is a great case that highlights the many things Blackstone Police officers encounter on any given day.
What started as a routine motor vehicle stop developed into multiple arrests, the seizure of narcotics, and most notably a dangerous firearm taken out of our community.”
Both men are expected to face arraignment today in Uxbridge District Court.
