30 Arrested in Woonsocket Drug Trafficking Sting

WOONSOCKET, RI—Local, state and federal officials announced on Monday the arrest of more than 30 people and the takedown of a drug trafficking ring centered on the Veterans Memorial housing complex.

The 10-month investigation “focused on eliminating the perpetual violence in and around the Veterans Memorial housing complex that is being fueled by illicit drug trafficking,” said Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin.

Investigators from the Woonsocket Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force identified people known to be trafficking narcotics over the course of their investigation. Undercover operatives executed more than 60 controlled buys of heroin, fentanyl, crack and cocaine from about 35 people in the area of the housing complex.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Zero Tolerance,” has led to the seizure of about 25 grams of heroin, five grams of fentanyl, more than 350 grams of crack and $6,500 cash.

The wave of arrests began earlier this month when police and DEA agents began executing arrest warrants obtained from the lengthy investigation. As of Monday, 29 people have been charged with various counts of delivery of a controlled substance and conspiracy to violate the Uniformed Controlled Substance Act.

Among the charged was one juvenile who was presented in Family Court and two people charged by a federal complaint and ordered held following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court. Another was arrested by Attleboro police and is awaiting extradition for arraignment. Two remain with warrants for their arrests.

Woonsocket’s Acting Police Chief Capt. Michael Lemoine said that the operation “clearly demonstrates the tremendous collaboration and partnership between the Woonsocket Police Department and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners.

“We can accomplish great things when we work together,” he said.

Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt said she is very pleased with the success of the joint operation and proud of the police department to make the city safer.

“Working together with our state and federal partners, I hope to continue to press ahead and make all of our housing facilities safer for our residents,” she said.

The investigation was aided by police departments across Rhode Island, including the Central Falls Police Department, Coventry Police Department, Cranston Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Johnston Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Providence Police Department, Newport Police Department, South Kingstown Police Department, Warwick Police Department, West Warwick Police Department the Rhode Island State Police, the Rhode Island Sheriffs, the United States Marshals, and the Woonsocket Housing Authority.

Below is a list of those charged:

Marvin Espinal, 19, of 37 Boudon Blvd., Woonsocket. Charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled subtstance. Held without bail.

Nathaniel Virella, 34, 39 Bourdon Blvd., Woonsocket. Charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Held without bail.

Angel Echevarria 21, of 167 Bourdon Blvd. Charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance and one county of conspiracy. Held without bail.

Jason DelBene, 31, of 26 Fairmount St. Charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Held without bail.

Kady DelBene, 30, of 26 Fairmount St. One count of delivery of a controlled substance and conspiracy. She was released on $5,000 surety bail.

Edwin Burgos, 22, of 34 Transit St. Charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance. He was released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

Roberto Marrero, 37, of 6 Memorial Drive. Charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Held without bail.

Luis Tapia, 24, at 650 Main St. Charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance. He was released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

A juvenile, 17, charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance.

Keyner Valentine, 23, of 47 Paradis Ave., charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Held without bail.

Melissa Vasquez, 26, of 61 Bourdon Blvd. Charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance. She was released on $2,500 surety bail.

Ricardo Encarnacion, 26, of 465 Village Road. Charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Held without bail.

Monica Hoefer, 32, of 365 Dulude Ave., Woonsocket, charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and two counts of conspiracy. She was held on $1,000 surety bail.

Eduard Delacruz, 19, of 51 Memorial Drive, Woonsocket, charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance. He was released on $20,000 surety bail.

Jennifer Hoefer, 31, of 365 Dulude Ave., Woonsocket, charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy. She was released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

Gregory Ortega, 26, of 182 Cumberland St., Woonsocket, charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Held without bail.

Shane M. Pilon, 24, of 19 Herbert Ave., Woonsocket, charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Held without bail.

Carlos Carrasquillo-Baez, 27, of 202 High St. Charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy. Held without bail.

Alfred Balestier-Sanchez, 34, no address specified, charged with one count of distribution of a cocaine base and one count of distribution of fentanyl. Held without bail after an initial presentment in U.S. District Court.

Neftali Melendez, 30, no address specified, charged with one count of distribution of a cocaine base. Held without bail after initial presentment in U.S. District Court.

George Aponte-Ortiz, 42, of 42 Memorial Drive, charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance. Held without bail.

Juan Rodriguez, 29, of 255 Morin Heights, Woonsocket, charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy. He was released on $25,000 surety bail.

Jorge Montanez, 28, of 177 Bourdon Blvd., charged with three counts of delivery of ca controlled substance. Held without bail.

Barbara Cabral, 35, of 52 Cote Ave., charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance. She was released on $20,000 personal recognizance.

Jose M. Monteiro, 36, of 2229 DHR, charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Held without bail.

Cristian Reyes, 23, of 52 Cote Ave., charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Held without bail.

Jachkeilin Trinidad, 23, Fairmount Area, charged with three counts of deliver of a controlled substance. Held without bail.

Aaron Holbrook, 30, of 27 Sharon Parkway, North Smithfield, charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance. held without bail.

Wanda Vasquez, 45, of 719 Front St., Woonsocket, charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance. She was released on $2,500 surety bail.

Nicholas Morenzi, 33, of 155 Bourdon Blvd., Woonsocket, charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy. He was awaiting arraignment as of Monday afternoon.

Jabree M. Roberts, 22, of 59 Memorial Drive. Charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy. He was released on $2,500 surety bail.

Oswald Torres, 24, of 354 Cass Ave., charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy. Held without bail.

Luis Heredia, 24, of 126 Burnside Ave., charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance and a count of possession with intent to deliver. Held without bail.

Joel Calderon, 29, of 88 Bourbon Blvd., charged with one count of violating a no-contact order and one count of resisting arrest. He was held without bail as a bail violator.

Photo: Woonsocket Housing Authority