Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M. Barry, Acting Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, announces that an investigation by members of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force has resulted in the arrests of four brothers and the seizure of 90 grams of fentanyl, a handgun and ammunition and nearly $300,000 cash.
As a result of this investigation, Task Force members along with members of the Providence office of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Providence Police Department, today executed two court-authorized search warrants – one at 19 Ocean St., 1st floor, Providence, and the other at 23 Babcock St., Providence – resulting in the arrests of the four brothers, who were identified as:
Luis Miguel Molina, age 23, of 19 Ocean St., Providence
Luis Armando Molina, age 21, of 23 Babcock St., Providence
Luis Enrique Molina, age 28, of 23 Babcock St., Providence
Luis Alberto Molina, age 29, of 23 Babcock St., Providence
All four subjects are suspected of being part of an alleged criminal narcotics conspiracy. They each were charged with:
• Manufacture/Delivery/Possession with the Intent to Manufacture or Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl)
• Manufacture/Delivery/Possession with the Intent to Manufacture or Deliver one ounce to one kilogram Schedule II (Fentanyl)
• Possession of a Firearm While Committing a Controlled Substance Violation
• Possession of a Firearm By a Convicted Felon
• Controlled Substance Conspiracy
In addition, Luis Miguel Molina and Luis Alberto Molina were charged with violating the terms of their probation from their previous convictions for second-degree robbery charges out of the Providence Police Department.
Luis Enrique Molina also was charged with violating the terms of his probation from his previous conviction on charges of breaking and entering and carrying a pistol without a license out of the Providence Police Department.
During searches of the suspects’ residences this morning, members from the HIDTA Task Force, Violent Fugitive Task Force, DEA Providence Office, and the Providence Police Department seized approximately 90 grams of fentanyl, a Smith Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380 caliber handgun, six rounds of .380 caliber ammunition, and various drug packaging materials associated with the distribution of narcotics. They also seized $282,061.00 in United States currency.
All four subjects were processed at the State Police Lincoln Woods Barracks and later arraigned in Sixth Division District Court, where they were ordered held without bail pending further court action.
The HIDTA Task Force is managed by the Rhode Island State Police and comprised of members from Pawtucket Police, West Warwick Police, Lincoln Police, Middletown Police, Providence Police, North Providence Police, Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI), United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
