PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Mayor Brett Smiley and Colonel Oscar Perez announced today that 22 individuals were issued arrest warrants following an investigation into the organized possession and distribution of illegal drugs at Kennedy Plaza. According to officials, 20 have been arrested so far with two suspects currently at large. During a press conference today, officials said that majority of the 22 suspects have criminal histories with 14 of the suspects having previous felony/violent crime convictions which include; robbery, sexual assault, felony assault, illegal firearms offenses, drug distribution offenses and domestic violence. 10 of the suspects are probation violators and includes one subject who was also apprehended in the previous Kennedy Plaza operation last year.  Officials said that members of the Providence Police Department Narcotics Bureau, with assistance from Patrol Bureau, conducted the month-long undercover investigation in the Downtown area of Kennedy Plaza to address the distribution and use of illegal narcotics. The majority of the individuals charged in the operation are from Providence and on probation from prior arrests, according to police. During the investigation, the subjects were charged with various counts of Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine and Conspiracy. “Since taking office I have prioritized investments and strategies that elevate public safety, improve behavioral health supports and promote nonviolence throughout Downtown and across our city,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “I commend the Providence Police Department for this incredible milestone in ensuring that this area remains safe for the many individuals that live, work and visit Providence every day,” he said. Perez said that there’s no threat to the public regarding the two have yet to be apprehended. “None at all, they are being actually, we are looking for them. As I said, to my left, Detective Allen, he and his team, and the full division and detectives are looking for them, so no. No concern and the other individuals are being held at the ACI,” he said. My Administration will continue to invest in innovative public safety programs and new police academies that help to ensure we have more officers present on patrol and in our neighborhoods and are better able to hold perpetrators of these crimes accountable,” he continued. Officials with PPD said a handful of these people arrested were experiencing homelessness, one of the underlying issues Smiley said the city is addressing. “We invest significant funds in harm reduction. We are about to open the first overdose prevention center in the state here in the city. And you’ll note that the people we’ve arrested are not the users – but the dealers and distributors,” he said. “And honestly, people should expect that we’ll have a substantially similar operation again next year. We will stay at this until we change the tone and tenor of Downtown, Kennedy Plaza, and Burnside Park. That this is not an acceptable place to have open-air drug dealing in the city of Providence. And it is one part of a larger strategy, but it is an important part,” he said. Categories: News