DEA, EG Police Arrest Alleged Heroin Dealer and Convicted Felon

EAST GREENWICH, RI—An alleged drug dealer and convicted felon being investigated by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency was arrested by the DEA and East Greenwich police near a house off Duke Street where there have been drug issues including an overdose.

Hasan Abdullah, 31, of 101 Sumter St., is currently being held on $50,000 surety bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston after being charged with possession with intent to deliver on Dec. 1 and will return to court next week for a review hearing.

Abdullah is no stranger to the ACI. He was sentenced to 20 years, 13 to serve in 2005 for a brutal home invasion and burglary in Providence during which he and a co-conspirator bound a woman and her daughter after forcing their way into an apartment building by pretending to be delivering pizza. He was found guilty on 11 counts and was released in 2013 after serving eight years. A portion of his sentence was reduced under the state’s “good time” statute.

According to a police report, East Greenwich detectives were notified by the DEA that Abdullah has been dealing heroin in the area and would be in East Greenwich to deliver the drug.

Police intercepted Abdullah as he got out of his car on Duke Street and was taken into custody without incident.

East Greenwich detectives, along with detectives from Newport and DEA agents had set up a perimeter in the area and were waiting for Abdullah to arrive in his white Chrysler 300.

Abdullah arrived at around 1 p.m. and after police approached and identified themselves, he reportedly appeared to reach inside the front of his pants to conceal something.

Later, at police headquarters, police conducted a strip search and found several small bags containing heroin in his underwear.

Abdullah was carrying more than $800 at the time of his arrest, police said.

Court records show Abdullah was free on $10,000 surety bail after being arrested by Providence police in November for simple assault.