Fugitive who fled Massachusetts caught with nearly two pounds of fentanyl

Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent, of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, announces the arrest of a Providence resident on drug trafficking and fugitive charges and the seizure of nearly two pounds of pure fentanyl, with a street value of $30,000 to $35,000, as well as 10 grams of heroin, drug presses and other drug paraphernalia during a search of his apartment.

Jesus Ramos, age 52, of 102 Ford St., Providence, was arrested following an investigation by members of the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force, the United States Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Boston Police Department and the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.

Ramos was charged with:

• Deliver/Possession with Intent to Deliver & Manufacture Schedule II (Fentanyl)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule II (Fentanyl), 1 oz. to 1 kilo
• Deliver/Possession with Intent to Deliver & Manufacture Schedule I (Heroin)
• Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule I (Heroin)
• Fugitive from Justice from Massachusetts on numerous felony charges to include: Trafficking of Fentanyl; several counts of Distribution of Class A and B Narcotics; Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; and Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony

The arrest stemmed from an investigation into reports that Ramos allegedly fled from Massachusetts in violation of the terms of his release on bail while awaiting trial on numerous felony drug and weapons charges in that state. The investigation revealed that Ramos was allegedly staying in a basement apartment at 102 Ford St. in Providence.

On Wednesday, June 20, at approximately 11:30 a.m., members of the VFTF, US Marshals Service, HSI and HIDTA Task Force conducted a search of Ramos’ apartment in the basement of 102 Ford St. in Providence. As a result of this search, members of the HIDTA Task Force seized the following items:

• Approximately 885 grams of fentanyl
• 10 grams of heroin
• Two (2) kilo presses used for packing fentanyl, heroin and other narcotics
• Packaging materials associated with the distribution of narcotic sales

Ramos was processed at State Police Lincoln Woods Barracks and held overnight pending arraignment Thursday morning in Sixth Division District Court in Providence. Ramos also will be presented as a Fugitive from Justice out of Massachusetts, where he faces numerous other felony drug and weapons charges.

Every person convicted of violating the provisions of Possession with Intent to Deliver, schedule I or II Controlled Substance, upon conviction may be imprisoned to a term up to life or fined not more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) nor less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both.

The HIDTA Task Force is comprised of members from the Rhode Island State Police, Providence Police, Pawtucket Police, West Warwick Police, Lincoln Police, Middletown Police, North Providence Police, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).