Introduced By: Senators Polisena, Damiani and McBurney
Date Introduced : May 20, 1998
WHEREAS, In December of 1997, members of the Johnston Police Department Narcotics Unit received information about a subject allegedly distributing marijuana within the town of Johnston, the city of Pawtucket, and other areas within the State of Rhode Island; and
WHEREAS, By tracing the suspect's cellular phone, along with aerial surveillance and video and photographic capabilities of the subjects home and surrounding areas in western Coventry, they were able to give this information to the DEA, and IRS; and
WHEREAS, On April 8, 1998, information was received that a shipment was going to be delivered within the next 24 hours. After conducting a surveillance of the suspect's dwelling in Coventry, police followed a vehicle with temporary plates to his parent's home; and
WHEREAS, On April 9, 1998, more surveillance uncovered more vehicles and more movement coming from the building. They followed two trucks which went in opposite directions and eventually apprehended the suspect; and
WHEREAS, Police uncovered 10 pounds of marijuana, and 3 kilograms of cocaine along with scales, packaging material, and trash bags. They also discovered 350 pounds of marijuana and 7 weapons being stored in a Coventry house and a rental garage in Johnston contained and a Kenworth tractor with its fuel tanks removed to store more drugs; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Lieutenant Joseph Matarese and Detective Albert Faella of the Johnston Police Department's Narcotics Unit Lieutenant Michael Bergeron, Sergeant Glen Haberle, Detectives Michael Slattery, Robert Tefft, Martin Briden, Philli Hichey, Paul Sylvestre, and Daniel Dolan- of the Pawtucket Police Department and Detective Michael DeComitis of the Coventry Police Department on their excellent investigation and heroic apprehension of narcotics traffickers. If it were not for their experience dedication, and pursuit these suspects would have succeeded in releasing another 400 pounds of marijuana and 3 kilograms of cocaine onto our streets; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Johnston Police Department's Narcotics Unit.
