Providence Police Intelligence and Organized Crime Bureau dismantle large scale heroin and fentanyl trafficking operation, seizing over one kilogram

Providence – Over the past two months police have worked incessantly to intercept communication
between the group and have conducted hundreds of hours of surveillance. Through
their investigation, Detective Joe Black was able to secure thirteen search warrants
and thirty-six arrest warrants. Currently, police have apprehended thirty out of the
thirty-six, twenty-four from Fall River, MA and six from Providence. The top three
individuals organizing the operation are among those who have already been
apprehended.
Johan Jimenez, age 26 of Providence, Mario Hernandez, age 28 of Cranston and Yosiel
Rondon Vargas, age 19 of Providence were all charged with multiple drug and
conspiracy charges. Jimenez was also charged with possession of a firearm while
committing a crime of violence and all three had warrants for their arrest. During
the investigation police seized over one kilogram of heroin/fentanyl, $65,000 U.S.
Currency, a 9 millimeter Walther PPX semi-automatic firearm with live rounds, and
other drug and firearm paraphernalia as well as other high end items that were
discovered during house searches.
Under the Command of Major David Lapatin, the Intelligence and Organized Crime
Bureau is overseen by Sergeant Nicholas Ludovici. Surrounding agencies who were
instrumental in the success of this investigation include Assistant Attorney General
and Chief of Narcotics Unit John Moreira and Assistant Attorney General Stacy Veroni
of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, Providence Police Narcotics Bureau,
Bristol County Sheriff’s Department, East Providence Police Department,
Massachusetts State Police, Fall River Police Department, DEA and New England State
Police Information Network (NESPIN).

«This operation was instrumental in taking down a large scale, extremely elusive
drug trafficking organization,» said Colonel Clements. «I commend Sergeant Ludovici
and the members of his bureau who worked endless hours investigating this case and
for going above and beyond in their efforts to ensure that these drugs and criminals
were taken off the streets. With the heroin epidemic continuing to be on the rise,
the dismantling of organizations like this one is critical in order to curb
overdoses and death of those who abuse these lethal narcotics»