News Summary
Multiple arrests have been made in Rhode Island related to drug trafficking and retail theft, involving collaboration among various law enforcement agencies. Among those apprehended is Nicholas Morra, charged with conspiracy, and three men caught shoplifting at Providence Place mall. Additionally, a drug operation has led to the arrest of several individuals and the confiscation of illegal firearms and controlled substances. These incidents emphasize the rising challenges of these crimes in the region.
Providence
Multiple arrests related to drug trafficking and retail theft have been made in Rhode Island as investigators from different agencies collaborate to tackle these crimes. Rhode Island State Police apprehended Nicholas Morra, 32, of Providence, on Friday. Morra is facing charges of conveyance of unauthorized articles to and from institutions and conspiracy, stemming from an investigation by the Adult Correctional Institutions Special Investigations Unit.
In addition to Morra’s arrest, Providence police arrested three men—Keiner Perez Salas, Howard Garcia, and Beickel Arellano—during a shoplifting incident at the Providence Place mall. The trio is accused of stealing retail merchandise valued at thousands of dollars. All three individuals face charges of larceny and conspiracy and are suspected of involvement with a South American retail theft group. Police believe this group is connected to multiple high-value shoplifting incidents, including a theft of approximately $7,000 worth of items at a store in Garden City.
The suspects reportedly utilized aluminum foil-lined bags to bypass security devices in retail stores, highlighting a disturbing trend that is catching the attention of law enforcement. The Cranston police chief indicated that high-end retailers are particularly vulnerable to such thefts. As investigations progress, a fourth suspect remains at large in connection with these thefts.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Carlos Depina, 52, from Pawtucket, was arrested on drug-related charges. He faces accusations of cocaine dealing and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, alongside conspiracy charges. This arrest was executed by the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, and Depina was subsequently taken to Sixth Division District Court for arraignment as a probation violator.
A month-long investigation into drug trafficking resulted in the arrest of three additional individuals: Tyrone Wilcox, 47, Christian Frederick, 41, and Rocco Tetreault, 39. These arrests were made across several locations, including Providence, North Providence, Lincoln, and Pawtucket. Law enforcement officials confiscated a significant cache of illegal firearms along with ammunition—some of which included ghost guns—during these operations.
State police also uncovered hundreds of grams of a variety of controlled substances, including fentanyl, cocaine, ketamine, Adderall, marijuana, and a kilogram narcotics press, alongside other materials used for drug distribution. The three individuals apprehended in this drug trafficking operation are currently being held at the ACI Intake Center pending arraignment.
The series of arrests highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies in Rhode Island to combat the dual challenges of drug trafficking and retail theft in the state. The collaboration among multiple agencies is essential in addressing these interconnected criminal activities, which have become increasingly prevalent in recent years.
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Additional Resources
- Turn to 10: Four Men Accused of Stealing Over $7,000
- Wikipedia: Retail Theft
- Patch: Pawtucket Man Charged with Cocaine Conspiracy
- Google Search: Cocaine Conspiracy Pawtucket
- GoLocalProv: RI State Police Arrest 7 Tied to Providence Shootings
- Google Scholar: Rhode Island Crime Statistics
- Cranston Online: Police Log
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Larceny
- ABC6: Police Arrest 19 in Undercover Investigation
- Google News: Rhode Island Drug Trafficking
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
