WPRO News
Federal, state, and local police announced the arrests of 19 gang members in Providence as the result of a 1 1/2 year long drug investigation. Some 30 suspects in all were being sought.
Dubbed “Operation Zombie”, the sweep netted suspected gang members on charges including trafficking cocaine and heroin, and on firearms-related charges. Most were identified as members or associates of three Southside Providence gangs.
“These young men peddling drugs, involved in gangs, and backing up their game with guns, they are reckless, they have little to no regard for human life and they are destroying our neighborhoods,” said Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements.
Over the past five days, eight men were charged in state court, 11 were charged in federal court on drug trafficking charges, including one man – Jonathan Hernandez, 28, described by police as a “lynchpin” of the drug operation.
“Clearly he was the organizer, he was directing the operations, and he was a key player at the center of the operation,” said Clements.
Operation Zombie began in September, 2013, building on a series of investigations by local, state, and FBI agents into drug trafficking and gang members.
The first part of the operation was unveiled in February, when authorities announced the arrests of 35 suspects and seizure of 15 firearms.
Mayor Jorge Elorza said the coordinated efforts of local police and federal agents make Providence safer.
“Yes. We’re getting guns off the street, we’re getting dangerous, violent criminals off the street, and that makes us all safer,” said Elorza.
