Rhode Island State Police HIDTA Task Force arrest  three for drug trafficking and failing to report a death

The Rhode Island State Police today announced the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force yesterday arrested three individuals after a month-long investigation. At the conclusion of this investigation, members of the HIDTA Task Force executed court authorized search warrants at three separate locations including 20 Metcalf Avenue in North Providence, 113 Sisson Street in Providence, and 716 Central Avenue in Johnston.

“I want to applaud our HIDTA task force and our partners at the Attorney General’s office for their work in this investigation,” said Colonel Darnell S. Weaver, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety. “They work hard every day to take deadly drugs off the street and these arrests make our communities safer.”

During their initial entry of 20 Metcalf Avenue, North Providence, Rhode Island, members of HIDTA found a deceased female within the residence. Members also located a significant heroin and fentanyl processing operation at this address. Members of the Department of the Attorney Generals Office, the RISP Major Crimes Unit and Forensic Service Unit responded to assist with the processing and collection of evidence on scene.

As a result of the investigation, the following items were seized:

·     Kilogram presses, stamps, and molds

·     Digital scales and packaging material for redistribution

·     908 grams of Heroin

·     229 grams of Fentanyl

·     $82,550 US Currency

It was determined that Noel Ignacio Moronta,  41, of 113 Sisson Street, Providence; Nelson A. Reyes, 38, of 716 Central Avenue, Johnston; and Marien Solano, 36, of 113 Sisson Street, Providence all failed to report the death of the decedent, who is suspected to have died of an overdose.

All three subjects were also identified to be involved in the manufacture, and/or possession with the intent to deliver significant amounts of illegal narcotics as outlined above. All were charged as co-conspirators with possession with intent to deliver (fentanyl, heroin), controlled substance conspiracy and failure to report a death with the intention to conceal a crime.

All subjects were processed at the Lincoln Woods Barracks and were formally arraigned on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 6th Division District Court where they were held without bail.

The Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force is comprised of members from the Rhode Island State Police, Providence Police Department, North Providence Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, Middletown Police Department, Bristol Police Department, Narragansett Police, DEA Providence District Office, and Department and Rhode Island National Guard Counterdrug Program.

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