East Providence Police make several fentanyl-related busts

Same-day incidents lead to two narcotics arrests in city

By Mike Rego
Posted 9/20/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence Police officers recently made a pair of narcotics arrests within hours of each other on the same day, one taking place a retail complex off Pawtucket Avenue …

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East Providence Police make several fentanyl-related busts

Same-day incidents lead to two narcotics arrests in city

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence Police officers recently made a pair of narcotics arrests within hours of each other on the same day, one taking place a retail complex off Pawtucket Avenue and another on the side streets in the Rumford section of the city following a routine traffic stop.
Santonio Young, 37 and of Woonsocket, and Roberto Prensa, 35 and of Providence, were both taken into custody on multiple drug charges in different incidents but on the same day, Tuesday, Sept. 11.
Mr. Young was arrested in the parking lot at the Stop & Shop Supermarket at on the afternoon of September 11. He was charged with Possession With Intent to Deliver cocaine, Possession With Intent to Deliver fentanyl, and possession of one ounce to a kilogram of cocaine.
According to the arrest report, an officer observed repeated suspicious activity between vehicles taking place in different parts of the lot involving multiple people. Officers eventually determined to investigate and were also assisted by members of the community. Activity surrounding the case lasted for several hours.
EPPD dispatch received a call during the incident from a witness who recorded a portion of the events with their cell phone. The witness informed dispatch that while recording the incident they observed the front-seat passenger of one of the vehicles, identified as Mr. Young, open the door and throw a package toward the front another of the vehicles. Officers eventually located the package, which later tested positive for cocaine and 156 grams of fentanyl.
Upon further investigation, officers also located a dark-colored purse/bag containing $1,801.62 as well as a small amount of marijuana.
Rumford arrest
Mr. Presna was charged with Manufacturing Possession Delivering Schedule 1 2, Resisting Arrest, and Driving in Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was previously facing an arrest warrant in South Kingstown on charge of Manufacturing Possession Delivering Schedule 1 2.
At just before 10 p.m. the evening of September 11, an EPPD patrol officer observed a blue Ford Crown Victoria being driven by Mr. Presna make a turn off Roger Williams Avenue without using a signal. Upon stopping the car at the intersection of Bourne and Edward Avenues, the officer noted, “the operator of the vehicle was sweating profusely and extremely nervous as I explained the reason for the traffic stop.”
Upon a check of the registration and license, the officer learned of the arrest warrant. After removing Mr. Presna from the vehicle, officers uncovered two separate bags of suspected narcotics in right front pants pocket and in the left front pants pocket $2,796. Upon further inspection of the vehicle, officers found a scale and plastic sandwich bags, which are used as packaging materials for narcotics. Once back at the EPPD headquarters, the weight of the drugs found was 29 grams.
Kent Farm Village arrest
Still a third arrest taking place on another day, an undercover EPPD officer purchased contraband from Johnny Taveras, 23 and of Providence, at Kent Farm Village.
Following up tips received from residents about drug activity there, an officer was assigned the beat and eventually bought heroin and fentanyl from Mr. Tavares. He was charged with three counts of Delivery Of A Controlled Substance and Possession Of A Controlled Substance.

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