By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
In what the chief of police called “an incredible day for the Providence Police,” detectives carried out four separate drug arrests on Wednesday, making four arrests, seizing six handguns, two motor vehicles, large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine and more than $238,000 in cash.
In a statement, Chief Hugh Clements called it “an impressive haul that took place within a one-day span.”
“That’s a good day’s work,” said Major David Lapatin at a news conference on Friday, in which police displayed the six handguns and $238,981 in U.S. currency. Photos of the drugs were on display, police said, because exposure to fentanyl could result in illness. In fact, a police dog, K-9 “Vader” was sickened during one of the arrests.
“He hit on a garbage can, in which were kilo wrappers, which possibly had some fentanyl residue,” said Providence Police Captain Roger Aspinall. “The handler was able to understand the dog was not acting correctly, and quickly administered Narcan to the dog. We took “Vader” to the veterinarian where his vitals were checked out and I’m glad to say he was okay and he was actually out working on search warrants this morning.” The dog was present at the news conference.
Major Lapatin said the ongoing effort to take drugs and guns off the streets has helped to make the city safer, but he stressed, it’s a never ending effort.
“You know what? That was two days ago. Today they’re already out on another search warrant. We don’t stop. So, it just keeps going,” Lapatin said.
Police said the largest quantities of drugs and three guns were seized in the arrest of Yansilis Grullon, 43 at his home on Horace Street, and a “stash house” on Merino Street. Officers recovered 141 grams of cocaine and about 11 kilograms of fentanyl, along with $229,810 in cash.
Police and postal inspectors also arrested Michael Nelson, 60 of Providence when he retrieved a package at the Corliss Street Post Office. Inside was children’s toys, and approximately two kilograms of cocaine.
Calvin Mitchell, 37 was arrested at his Candace Street apartment with cocaine, three firearms and approximately $9171 in U.S. currency.
Roberto Delossantos, 21 of Worcester, Massachusetts was arrested after a motor vehicle stop with what was described as a large, vacuum sealed package containing more than 1075 grams of purple dyed fentanyl
Altogether, police said, 12,221.4 grams of fentanyl, or approximately 12 kilograms, and 2,587 grams of cocaine was seized.
