PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Elorza, Commissioner Paré, Colonel Clements and members of the Providence Police Department Narcotics Bureau joined this morning at the Providence Public Safety Complex to announce the outcome of Operation “Bussed Out,” a four-month-long investigation into narcotics trafficking in and around the Kennedy Plaza area of the City. This operation resulted with arrest warrants and indictments for 23 individuals charged with the delivery of controlled substances to an undercover Providence Police Narcotics Investigator. Narcotics included Fentanyl, Cocaine, Heroin and other controlled prescription substances. Police also seized a 25-caliber handgun from the Valley neighborhood in connection with this investigation.
Of the 23, twelve individuals have been apprehended and investigators continue to seek the whereabouts of the remaining eleven at large, all 23 individuals have criminal records.
“As substance use and fentanyl distribution have increased nationwide, we are working aggressively to ensure Providence is safe for all our residents,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “The arrests announced today are the result of months of high-quality work through our exemplary Providence Police Department and let the world know that these crimes will not be tolerated in our community.”
“This operation has successfully removed deadly narcotics off the streets of our City, focusing in the Kennedy Plaza area, which serves as the central transportation hub in Providence,” said Colonel Clements. “I commend the Narcotics Bureau Investigators for their dedication and hard work throughout this investigation and also the leadership of Major David Lapatin and Captain Kevin Lanni.”