The Rhode Island State Police today announced that on Thursday, January 19, 2023, members of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Providence District Office, arrested two individuals for narcotics and weapons offenses.

The Rhode Island State Police HIDTA Task Force and DEA Providence Office initiated an investigation regarding two individuals who were allegedly involved in the distribution and sales of narcotics in the greater Providence Area.  Several court authorized search warrants were ultimately executed in the communities of Pawtucket, East Providence, and Scituate. As a result of these search warrants, the following items were seized:

• 672 grams of cocaine
• 60 grams of crack cocaine
• 416 grams of fentanyl
• 262 grams of Marijuana
• United States currency - $50,900.00
• One stolen Smith and Wesson .38 caliber loaded revolver
• One Glock Model 22 .40 caliber pistol
• One sixteen-round large capacity magazine containing ammunition
• One twenty-nine-round large capacity magazine containing ammunition
• Three vehicles
• Scales and packaging material used in the distribution of illegal narcotics.

Odell Lora, age 31, of 430 Dover Avenue, East Providence and Kevon Lassiter, age 31, of 183 Mineral Spring Avenue, Pawtucket, were arrested and charged with: possession of crack cocaine, cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana with intent to deliver; possession of a firearm by certain persons prohibited; possession of a firearm when committing a controlled substance violation; possession of large capacity feeding device; possession of a stolen firearm; and, conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

At the time of his arrest, Mr. Lassiter was found to be on probation stemming from previous narcotics distribution and firearms offenses.  Both Mr. Lassiter and Mr. Lora were arraigned at Sixth Division District Court and after their appearance were held without bail pending further court dates.

The HIDTA Task Force is managed by the Rhode Island State Police.  It is comprised of members from the Rhode Island State Police, Providence Police Department, North Providence Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, Middletown Police Department, Bristol Police Department, Narragansett Police Department and Rhode Island National Guard.