Cranston Police Bust Three in Heroin Dealing Crackdown

Cranston Police have arrested three Cranston men that allegedly were involved in heroin dealing throughout the area.

Police said the the arrests are the result of "aggressive and proactive efforts" put in place to "mitigate and curtail" heroin related activity in the city due in part to the recent spike in heroin overdoses.

The Cranston Police Special Investigation unit began an investigation that eventually identified Yasuell Baez, 28, of Cranston as potential drug dealing suspect who allegedly was selling heroin in and around Cranston.

Cranston Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force executed two search warrants earlier this week at two locations in Cranston.

In one of the raids, Baez was arrested and police found 13 bags of heroin.

Also arrested was 27-year-old Sam Ry of Cranston, who was charged with possession of more than one ounce of marijuana.

"Detectives also seized a significant amount of ammunition in the home and the investigation into that aspect of the case is ongoing," said Cranston Police Major Robert W. Ryan. 

While searching the second location, investigators found a shotgun with a pistol grip and more ammunition.

Detectives also learned that a third person would be delivering heroin in Roger Williams Park and they quickly set up surveillance in the area. 

Patrol Lt. Russell Henry saw the suspect vehicle parked at a residence in the park. A short time later, a second car arrived and then left.

Police followed that car to Wentworth Street where a man got out, saw officers converging on him, and ran.

Police took the man, identified as Frankly Pachardo, 36, of Cranston, into custody after a struggle and found heroin in a bag he tossed when he started to run as well as inside the car.

All told, Cranston Police seized 48 grams of heroin, a half-pound of marijuana, the ammunition and a Maverick Model 88 12 gauge shotgun that "was found to have been illegally purchased off the street by Mr. Baez," Ryan said.

Baez was also charged with possesion of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a crime of violence.

As a result of the investigation, a detainer was placed on Pichardo by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency for illegal re-entry into the United States after previously being deported to the Dominican Republic for a previous felony conviction.