Cranston cops arrest 3 during heroin crackdown

Daniel Kittredge
Posted 3/14/14

The arrests resulted in the seizure of approximately 48 grams of heroin, roughly a half-pound of marijuana and an illegally purchased Maverick Model 88 12-gauge shotgun.

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Cranston cops arrest 3 during heroin crackdown

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Cranston police have arrested three men on drug and weapons charges as part of their response to a recent spike in overdoses.

The arrests resulted in the seizure of approximately 48 grams of heroin, roughly a half-pound of marijuana and an illegally purchased Maverick Model 88 12-gauge shotgun, according to a release from Maj. Robert Ryan, who cited the department’s “aggressive and proactive efforts … to mitigate and curtail this illegal and extremely dangerous activity.”

The operation began with the department’s Special Investigations Unit seeking a subject who was selling heroin in and around the city. That party was identified as 28-year-old Yasuell Baez of Cranston, according to police.

Cranston police and the DEA Task Force subsequently executed search warrants at two locations in the city. At the first, Baez was located and arrested, and other “people of interest” were identified. Baez was found in possession of 13 bags of heroin, according to police, while 27-year-old Sam Ry of Cranston was charged with possession of marijuana over one ounce.

“Detectives also seized a significant amount of ammunition in the home and the investigation into that aspect of the case is ongoing,” Ryan’s release states. “While searching the second location, investigators seized a pistol grip shotgun and ammunition.”

Baez was charged with narcotics trafficking and possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a crime of violence.

Additionally, detectives learned a third man was planning to deliver heroin to the area of Roger Williams Park, and surveillance was set up in the area. Patrol Lt. Russell Henry observed the suspect vehicle parked at a residence, and a short time later a second vehicle came to the home and left. The second vehicle was followed by officers and stopped on Wentworth Avenue.

Ryan’s release states that the male passenger “exited from the car and when he spotted officers converging on him, he tossed a bag out of his hand and tried to run.” Heroin was found in the discarded bags.

The man was apprehended after a struggle, according to police, and initially provided officers with a false name and was in possession of a false Rhode Island driver’s license. He was later identified as 36-year-old Franklyn Pachardo of Cranston, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) has since placed a detainer on him for illegal re-entry into the United States after previously being deported to the Dominican Republic for an earlier felony conviction.

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