State Police make arrest after one gun, 1.7 kilos of fentanyl, 2.3 kilos of cocaine. 147 grams of meth seized in operation

Authorities made an arrest this week concerning a drug distribution operation.

The State Police announced in a press release that on Tuesday, the Rhode Island State Police HIDTA Task Force concluded a narcotics and firearms investigation. As a result of this investigation, court-authorized search warrants were executed at residences located at Dresser Street, Providence and Portland Street, Providence. Based on illegal contraband located and seized from both locations, members of the HIDTA Task Force charged 47-year-old Joel Garcia, of Providence, Rhode Island with numerous firearms and narcotics offenses.  

During the execution of the court-authorized search warrant on Dresser Street, Providence, members of the State Police HIDTA Task Force located and seized 1.7 kilograms of fentanyl, 2.3 kilograms of cocaine and 147 grams of methamphetamine from inside the residence. 

During the execution of the court-authorized search warrant on Portland Street, Providence, members located and seized one fully loaded 9mm semi-automatic Smith & Wesson pistol from inside the residence. This investigation revealed that Garcia, while residing on Portland Street, was using the apartment on Dresser Street to store, package, and distribute large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.

Narcotics and firearms charges include Possession With the Intent to Deliver Over 1 Kilogram of a Schedule II Controlled Substance – Fentanyl, Possession With the Intent to Deliver Over 1 Kilogram of a Schedule II Controlled Substance – Cocaine, Possession With the Intent to Deliver One Ounce to One Kilogram of a Schedule II Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine, Possession With the Intent to Deliver A Schedule II Controlled Substance – Fentanyl, Possession With the Intent to Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance – Cocaine, Possession With the Intent to Deliver A Schedule II Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm While Committing a Controlled Substance Violation, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, and Distribution of a Controlled Substance in a School Zone

This seizure is the direct result of investigative efforts by the HIDTA Task Force in their pursuit of violent, and often armed narcotics distributors. The success of these investigations is attributed to the partnerships of the Rhode Island State Police, participating members of the HIDTA Task Force and other local and federal law enforcement agencies within the State of Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force is comprised of members from the Rhode Island State Police, Providence Police Department, Cranston Police Department, North Providence Police Department, Johnston Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Rhode Island National Guard Counterdrug Program.