CRANSTON — The Cranston Police Department executed several successful drug enforcement operations resulting in multiple arrests and significant narcotics seizures over the past week.
A traffic stop for a seatbelt violation at Park Avenue and Reservoir Avenue intersection led to a major drug bust on March 27 at approximately 9:58 a.m.
Officers discovered 11 kilograms of cocaine, 2.2 grams of fentanyl powder, 11 pressed fentanyl pills, 10 ounces of marijuana, and $1,700 in cash hidden in an electronic compartment of the vehicle.
Teddy Lopez, 21, of 400 Farmington Ave., Cranston, R.I., was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine over 1 kilogram with intent to deliver, two counts of possession of Schedule II narcotics under 10 grams, and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.
The total value of narcotics seized in this operation is estimated at approximately $385,000.
In a separate operation on March 19, the department’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) executed a search warrant on a tent at a homeless encampment off Plainfield Pike near Route 295.
Detectives discovered crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, drug packaging materials, two BB guns, a knife, $443 in cash, and 30 stolen shopping carts from Wal-Mart.
Donald Iasimone, 40, of no permanent address, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of Schedule II narcotics with intent to deliver, two counts of carrying a weapon when committing a crime of violence, and one count of receiving stolen goods.
On March 27, the Cranston Police SIU, working with the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force, executed another search warrant at 30 Cutting Ave., 1st Floor.
The operation yielded 2,500 pressed fentanyl pills, 16 grams of fentanyl powder, 16.6 grams of pressed methamphetamine pills, 16.6 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, an unidentified powder, and various drug paraphernalia.
Jerry Taylor, 27, of the Cutting Avenue address, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver Schedule II narcotics and two counts of possession of Schedule I-V narcotics over 10 grams.
