Crime & Safety

Investigation Continues Into North Kingstown Drug Bust

Authorities are seeking to disrupt the larger organization that ships illicit drugs from Mexico to Rhode Island.

The investigation into what may be the largest drug bust in Rhode Island history will not end with the Jan. 29 arrest of three defendants, according to authorities who put more than $6 million worth of seized cocaine on public display Thursday afternoon.

Investigators are hoping to parlay the arrests of Rodrigo Armanda Saucedo, 31, of California, Andrew Rios, 39, of California, and Adilson Antonio Reyes, 29, of Utah, into a larger disruption of a major drug operation. “The investigation is continuing. Ultimately, we’d like to take down the head of the cartel,” said Brian Crowley, special agent with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and head of DEA’s Rhode Island Task Force.

While he indicated it is unclear which Mexican cartel the defendants belong to, Crowley said they are part of a larger organization that smuggles illicit drugs from Mexico into the Western United States and transports it by vehicle directly to Rhode Island. Cash is then driven back across the country and smuggled back into Mexico, he said.

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Along with 66 kilograms of cocaine — much of it wrapped in Mexican newspapers — and $1.2 million in cash, police also seized a handgun and a Chrysler Pacifica SUV with a secret compartment opened by a sophisticated hydraulic lift used to conceal the drugs. “If they’re ever stopped by law enforcement and a dog detects the drugs, they would be difficult to find if you don’t know how to operate the lift,” according to Lt. Ray Studley, a member of the task force. Investigators ultimately forced open the compartment after the defendants told them of its existence.

While he would not comment on whether the defendants have provided the authorities with information on the larger organization, State Police Superintendent Colonel Brendan Doherty reiterated that the investigation is ongoing.

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“Cash, cocaine and firearms are the tools of a major drug operation,” Doherty said. “We were able to disrupt that and keep these drugs out of schools and the community. We were able to get millions of dollars worth of cocaine off the streets. There's been talk that this is the largest drug bust in Rhode Island history. I don't recall in my 30 years in law enforcement a time when we've been able to seize this much product, plus $1 million in cash.”

The arrests and seizure follow a four-month investigation by State Police and the task force, who raided a warehouse at 376 Dry Bridge Road, Unit A-3 in North Kingstown on Jan. 29. The task force was tipped off to the operation in September and began following Reyes, who led them to the warehouse, according to a State Police press release. Police arrested Reyes at a West Greenwich hotel and nabbed Rios and Saucedo at the North Kingstown warehouse.

The three defendants have all been charged with possession of cocaine in excess of one kilogram, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, conspiracy to possess cocaine in excess of one kilogram, and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to deliver. The charges carry the potential of life in prison.

Participating law enforcement agencies — including the State Police, East Providence, Warwick and Woonsocket Police Departments — stand to benefit from the seizure. The $1.2 million in cash will be subject to a forfeiture hearing, with as much as 80 percent of it divided among the agencies, Crowley said.


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