48 Hours In Coventry: Police Charge 5 With Narcotics Offenses

COVENTRY, RI—Coventry detectives logged a busy 48 hours rounding up five cocaine dealers and seizing their drugs, cash, cars and weapons. According to police, the haul amounted to two firearms, two Ford trucks, about $6,800 in cash, and more than 77 grams of cocaine. Two of the suspects are being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

The arrests started Tuesday at 5:37 p.m. at a car stop. Police suspected the driver, Heather Keene, 45, of Coventry, had just left a dealer's home. She was searched. Police allege they found 2 grams of cocaine in her possession. They also allege she was "known to be involved in the facilitation of drug transactions." She was arrested, charged with cocaine, possession, arraigned and released.

Then hours later at 9:01 p.m. police raided a house at 3 Linwood Drive, where they allege cocaine, packaging material, digital scales, and more than $2,500 cash was seized. They also took a Hi-Point 9MM Carbine and a 2008 Ford F350. Toby Kirtland, 47, of Coventry, and Louis Ferla, 54, were arrested. Ferla, of East Greenwich, was charged with cocaine possession.

Kirtland is being held without bail at the ACI. He was charged with Possession With Intent to Deliver Cocaine, and Possession of a Firearm/Controlled Substance Violation.

Ferla was charged with Possession of Cocaine. His arraignment is scheduled for May 9.

The next day, April 25 at 12:25 p.m., Roland Sherman, 40, of Coventry, was arrested for Controlled Substance Conspiracy after he was seen trying to buy cocaine from Ryan Budlong, 38, of Coventry. Budlong was arrested after he parked at Sherman’s house where the drug deal allegedly was to be made. His car and (later his home) were searched. Detectives seized cocaine, a digital scale, more than $4,300 in cash, a .22 rifle and a 2004 Ford F150.

Budlong is being held without bail at the ACI. He was charged with Possession With Intent to Deliver Cocaine.

Sherman was charged with Possession of Cocaine and Controlled Substance Conspiracy, arraigned and released.

Police said tips led to the arrests.