State Police accuse 3 of operating illegally established rental vehicle scheme to facilitate violent firearms-related offenses, narcotics trafficking

The Rhode Island State Police today announced that on Friday, the Detective Bureau concluded a months long investigation into an organized criminal group operating within the greater Providence Metropolitan area. It is being alleged that this criminal organization was operating an illegally established rental vehicle scheme to facilitate violent firearms-related offenses and narcotics trafficking. As a result of this investigation, numerous court-authorized search warrants were executed.

During the execution of the court-authorized search warrants, members of law enforcement seized (4) illegal firearms: a stolen .45 caliber Springfield pistol, (2) 9-millimeter Glock pistols, and a 7.62 caliber AK-style pistol. These firearms were also seized with numerous large capacity feeding devices and a considerable amount of ammunition. Also seized was a significant amount of narcotics and narcotics packaging equipment. Specifically, members of the Rhode Island State Police seized over five hundred grams of cocaine and xylazine, a newly found non-opioid narcotic which produces similar effects to those of fentanyl. Members of law enforcement also seized approximately $25,000 in cash.

Weapons charges include the Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of Firearms While Committing Controlled Substance Violations, Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons Prohibited and Large Capacity Feeding Devices Prohibited. Narcotics charges include the Possession With the Intent to Deliver over 1 oz of a Schedule II Controlled Substance – Cocaine, and the Possession With the Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances – Fentanyl, Cocaine, Xylazine, and Marijuana. All three subjects were also charged as a criminal conspiracy for operating a motor vehicle rental company without proper licensing. The arrested Providence residents are listed below:

38-year-old Wilson Ventura

38-year-old Myishia Johnson

40-year-old Algelys Ventura

All subjects were arraigned at the 6th Division District Court, where they were held without bail.

This investigation was primarily investigated by the State Police Major Crimes Unit, with the assistance of the State Police HIDTA Task Force. This is an ongoing investigation, and more arrests are expected.