Cranston Police Bust "High Ranking" Gang Member, Seize 18 Pounds of Pot

Cranston Police have charged a "high ranking member" of the Young Bloods street gang with possession with intent to deliver after a marijuana bust on Tuesday.

Police seized a total of 18 pounds of marijuana that was reportedly on its way to being delivered to a Jordan Avenue house after an investigation that began with a "reliable tip," said Cranston Police Major Robert W. Ryan.

The Cranston Police Special Investigation unit, during the course of their investigation, learned that the delivery would be happening at around 9:30 a.m.

They set up a surveillance detail and sure enough, a large package was delivered to the house and left on the side door stairs.

Police kept watching and at around 2 p.m., an Asian male driving a 2011 Toyota stopped at the house and picked up the package, putting it in his trunk before driving away.

Police followed and stopped the car nearby.

Cranston Patrolman Brandon Barth approached the car and noticed that the operator, identified as Nirandone Sitthirath, 36, of 35 Wolfe St., Providence, appeared nervous and Barth could smell marijuana emanating from the vehicle.

A K-9 unit was dispatched to the scene and K-9 Bosco quickly alerted officers to the presence of marijuana in the trunk. 

Inside the box, police said, were two bales of marijuana, each weighing nine pounds.

Police said Sitthirath is "regarded as a high ranking member of the Young Bloods gang" and had about $700 cash with him. Police seized the money and his Toyota and both are being held pending forfeiture proceedings.

Sitthirath was ordered held without bail as a Superior Court probation violator.