Drugs, guns seized in 3 separate Providence police cases
by: Shaun Towne
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Several handguns, thousands of dollars in cash and a variety of illegal drugs were on display Friday as Providence police announced the results of three separate cases.
Mayor Brett Smiley said it was the result of a “meticulous and rigorous two-year investigation into narcotics distribution on Longfellow Street,” along with other cases on Julian and Clarence streets.
“Through the excellent work of the Providence Police Department, we have four fewer individuals distributing illegal drugs in our city, there are seven fewer firearms on our streets, all of which will make our communities safer,” Smiley said.
Here are the details of the recent investigations from Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez:
Longfellow Terrace
At an apartment on Longfellow Terrace, police arrested 53-year-old Kelvin Feliz, who’s accused of distributing drugs throughout the city, according to Perez. He said officers seized approximately 3,387 grams of fentanyl and 1,634 grams of cocaine.
Police also found two firearms, three loaded high-capacity magazines and $11,760 in cash.
Feliz will face numerous charges. Perez said he has a lengthy criminal history and went by 13 different aliases. In addition, he was deported to the Dominican Republic in 2015, but eventually came back to the U.S.
Julian Street
Another suspected drug dealer, 44-year-old Erick Bicknell, was arrested after police searched his home on June 5. According to Perez, investigators seized about 70 grams of cocaine, a loaded handgun and more than $3,000 in cash.
Bicknell also has a lengthy criminal history, Perez said.
Clarence Street
Anthony Chum, 25, was taken into custody after police found 125 grams of cocaine, 34 MDMA (ecstasy) pills, 59 Adderall pills, $2,300 in cash, three loaded handguns, loaded high-capacity magazines and other ammunition at his apartment, according to the police chief.
Separately, Perez announced the arrest of 25-year-old Malick Santos in connection with a recent armed robbery on South Water Street, along with the seizure of guns and drugs from his home.
Perez said that so far this year, the narcotics unit has executed 113 search warrants and taken up to 26 kilograms of various drugs off the streets, along with 33 firearms.
“As chief, I am especially focused on ensuring that everyone who lives and works in our city feels safe as we continue to develop and implement crime-reduction strategies and focus on community policing,” Perez said.