Cranston Police seize large quantity of suspected Fentanyl and Marijuana while searching for escaped prisoner from ACI

Colonel Michael Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, announces the arrest of three suspects after the Cranston Police Department, Rhode Island State Police and Department of Corrections respond to 85 Lawrence Street in search of escapee Rony Martinez-Pereyra, age 44, who reportedly fled from a minimum security work detail.
On March 2, 2017, members of the Cranston Police Department, Rhode Island State Police and Department of Corrections responded to 85 Lawrence Street looking for Martinez-Pereyra who was incarcerated for prior violent crimes related to the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of a firearm. The police responded to this address after the investigation revealed that his girlfriend was residing at this location with her parents and Martinez-Pereyra could possibly be hiding out there. Police responded and were met by Virgen Fernandez who allowed a consensual search of the residence for Martinez-Pereyra. A search for him was unsuccessful, however officers discovered a half of a kilogram of suspected Fentanyl, over two (2) pounds of Marijuana, 16 mature Marijuana plants growing inside and material indicative of drug distribution. Arrested were Yuderka Fernandez, age 42, Virgen Fernandez, age 61, and Francisco Fernandez-Garcia, age 63, all of 85 Lawrence Street.
All suspects were formally arraigned in the Third District Court in Warwick on March 3, 2017 and released. Charges will be forthcoming pending toxicology results of the suspected Fentanyl.
Colonel Winquist stated, “The arrests of both suspects and the seizure of a significant quantity of Fentanyl continues with our strong efforts to eliminate any alleged distribution operation in our City, which if allowed to continue would likely have resulted in deadly consequences for many. We continue to respond to drug overdoses related to Fentanyl, and will continue to make removing the Fentanyl and Heroin from our neighborhoods a priority.”