Pawtucket, Providence Residents Charged In Drug Trafficking Case

PROVIDENCE, RI — Four people, including two Pawtucket residents, were arrested Wednesday on a slew of drug and gun charges following a joint investigation by Providence police and the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General.

On July 7, Providence detectives arrested Jose Martinez, 23, of Providence, following a vehicle stop where they seized around 97 fentanyl pills and $1,500 in cash. Shortly thereafter, detectives searched a home on Salina Street in Providence where they seized around 800 fentanyl pills and arrested Sheridan Fernandez, 20, of Woonsocket.

Detectives then searched a home and car on Dunnell Avenue in Pawtucket and seized around 630 fentanyl pills; some crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana; a .40 caliber ghost gun with a 30-round magazine containing 23 rounds and laser attachment; a 9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number; approximately $8,000 in cash; and drug paraphernalia.

That’s where they arrested Antonio Vazquez, 26, of Pawtucket and Malayshia Iaciofano-Murray, 21, of Pawtucket.

In total, detectives seized approximately 1,586 fentanyl pills and approximately $9,566 in cash, said the Providence Police Department and Attorney General Peter Neronha in a joint news release.

Live or work in Pawtucket? Subscribe to our daily a.m. newsletter where we summarize the city’s top five stories in a quick and engaging read. You can download our Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.

Martinez and Vazquez each face multiple felony counts, including possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana; possession with intent to deliver between one ounce and one kilogram of fentanyl; conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act; possession of a ghost gun; alteration of identifying marks on a firearm; and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Prosecutors allege that Martinez and Vasquez moved “significant amounts of fentanyl” while armed with guns with large-capacity magazines, Neronha said. He also remarked that more and more, investigations can not be contained to a single city.

“Too often that dangerous combination is fueling street violence and overdoses and causing tragic outcomes in our communities,” said Neronha. “More than ever, this Office is working in partnership with the Providence Police Department to investigate serious drug trafficking and gun violence cases that cross city boundaries.”

“The arrests that resulted from this investigation should send a clear message that the Providence Police will continue their efforts to rid our streets of violent criminals involved in drug and firearm operations, said Providence Commissioner of Public Safety Steven M. Paré.

Providence Police Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. acknowledged detectives Jonathan Desmarais and Matthew McGloin from the Intelligence and Organized Crime Bureau and Detective Eduardo Curi from the Narcotics Bureau, and also thanked the Attorney General’s office “for their ongoing support and strong prosecution of this case.”

In court Thursday, Martinez and Vazquez were ordered held without bail after being presented as Superior Court bail violators. Fernandes and Malayshia Iaciofano-Murray were each charged with one count of simple possessionof heroin or fentanyl.