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« Update: Rte. 95 stretch closing again for night work | Today | Block Island shootings suspect to undergo 2nd exam » July 11, 2007Bust of crack cocaine ring yields 17 arrests so farPROVIDENCE -- Seventeen people have been arrested, and 12 others are still being sought, in one of the biggest drug busts in the city in recent years. After an 18-month investigation, the Providence police and the Drug Enforcement Agency say they have cracked open a drug ring supplying crack cocaine throughout the north and west neighborhoods in the city. And, they allege, the ring was headed by Joanna Gonzalez, 28, of Providence, who police contend involved several family members in the drug business. "It was the largest street-level organization operating in the city since I've been in charge of narcotics," said Providence Lt. Thomas Verdi, head of the narcotics unit for the last four years. A wiretap investigation over the last three months logged over 2,000 drug sales in 74 days, the police said. Police seized luxury cars, SUVs and motorcycles owned by Gonzalez and the alleged middle-managers in the ring, as well as $52,000 cash. -- Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits Gonzalez has been charged with the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), conspiracy to commit RICO, possession of over one ounce to one kilo of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, and conspiracy. Arrested with Gonzalez was John Delarosa, 33, accused of being her supplier. Delarosa was previously arrested on federal drug trafficking charges in 1996 and served 7 years in Allenwood Federal Correctional Institution, according to the police. Delarosa faces RICO and drug trafficking charges. The police announced the bust this afternoon at the Providence Public Safety Complex and said the investigation is ongoing. Posted by Mike McKinney CommentsSteven Pellegrino | July 11, 2007 5:58 PM link GREAT JOB GUY GET THE REST OF THEM OFF THE STREETS AS WELL,,,AND PUT THEM IN JAIL AND THROW THEM UNDER THE CELL,,,,THANKS jerri aponte | July 11, 2007 6:43 PM link Great news for the city! Non tax paying scumb off the street, hopefully for a long time. neptune | July 11, 2007 8:02 PM link Now the corrupt police in providence will put those drugs back on the street as usual. A no win situation! Makes me laugh!!!!!!!!!! matt | July 11, 2007 8:24 PM link Ho hum, another bust in the war on drugs. Like another head of the Hyrda won't rise up and take this ones place. Tony P | July 11, 2007 8:54 PM link Time well wasted. Just legalize, regulate and tax drugs. You people complain about the money wasted on the "War on Terror" but the "War on Drugs" has been a money pit of absolute failure. When will we wake up and admit that prohibition doesn't work, especially when so many other things like alcohol and tobacco are legal and readily available? Greg | July 12, 2007 8:14 AM link Great job getting them low lifes off the streets! The only other concern I have is how can welfare be paying out money to these people that are driving these expensive cars??? Dont they check peoples assests before letting them get a free ride? Thats a shame. The honest taxpayer will never get ahead paying the taxes that go into paying people that keep spitting out kids and refuse to work. Tax Payer | July 12, 2007 11:14 AM link Can someone say welfare reform? Let me guess, these people will still be able to collect while they are in prison while those in true need go without. Cherie | July 12, 2007 3:04 PM link Hopefully this will cause everyone else who abuses the system to wake up and take ownership of their life! I realize that there are those with real needs but there are also those who continue to mooch off of the system! Shame on you! Kristen | July 13, 2007 10:47 AM link I daresay this latest scandal with our welfare system is symptomatic of the overwhelming corruption of RI. State institutions have been neglected and ignored for so long that they're now burning up and out and other than this week's bandaid, won't be fixed for years. Welfare reform is long overdue, but I'm sure we won't see it in our lifetimes as long as we keep putting into office the idiot politicians sitting in the General Assembly today. You get what you vote for, and if you don't make demands for change (like welfare reform) you won't get it. It's a waste of time to even talk about any of this because it's just going to roll off the backs of the pols we elected to the General Assembly. Ginja | July 13, 2007 2:07 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
Iwould like to congradulate the Rhode Island Police Depts for their job well done. I do not live in R.I.any more however i still have ties to the state.again good job stey safe in your jobs .