Drugs Seized At Cranston Body Shop: State Police

CRANSTON, RI—State police on Monday raided a Cranston body shop and four homes (in Cranston and in Providence) as part of an investigation into a drug trafficking organization. The group allegedly has been doing business in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and peddling "large quantities of heroin mixed with fentanyl and cocaine." During the raids, state and local police and federal marshals seized $33,000 in cash, 200 grams of cocaine, 55 grams of a fentanyl/heroin mix and six cars. Officers from a special task force (Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) raided the locations. They also charged three people.

Jose M. Hernandez, 47, of Cranston, was charged with several narcotics offenses: Possession with the Intent to Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance (Cocaine); Possession with Intent to Deliver Schedule I Controlled Substance (Heroin); Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance 1oz-1 kilogram (Cocaine); Possession of Schedule I Controlled Substance 1oz-1 kilogram (Heroin); Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Deliver Schedule I/II Controlled Substances; and Resisting arrest.

He was arrested near 91 Cumerford St., Providence, one of the houses raided on Monday. Hernandez ran and was hurt resisting arrest, state police said. He was arraigned at Rhode Island Hospital. Hernandez is being held without bail pending a court appearance.

Steven Alix, 40, of Portsmouth, was also arrested near Cumerford Street. He was charged with these offenses: Possession with the Intent to Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance (Cocaine); Possession with Intent to Deliver Schedule I Controlled Substance (Heroin); Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance 1oz-1 kilogram (Cocaine); Possession of Schedule I Controlled Substance 1oz-1 kilogram (Heroin); and Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Deliver Schedule I/II Controlled Substances.

Robert Arias, 21, was arrested at the Cranston body shop on Niantic Avenue. He was charged with these narcotics offenses: Possession with the Intent to Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance (Cocaine); Possession with Intent to Deliver Schedule I Controlled Substance (Heroin); Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance 1oz-1 kilogram (Cocaine); Possession of Schedule I Controlled Substance 1oz-1 kilogram (Heroin); and Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Deliver Schedule I/II Controlled Substances.

Alix and Arias were held overnight at the Adult Correctional Institutions. They are due in court on Tuesday.

91 Cumerford is a single-family house (six bedrooms) in the Silver Lake section of Providence.

Courtesy Photo: Robert Arias

Photo Credit: RI State Police