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30 arrested for alleged role in 'large scale' heroin, fentanyl ring in RI, Mass

PROVIDENCE, RI — Thirty people part of a large-scale heroin and fentanyl operation have been arrested, according to Rhode Island officials.

Police spent 10 months investigating the drug ring, accused of trafficking drugs from Providence into southeastern Massachusetts and selling them for three times the price. They said they used wiretaps to intercept thousands of calls between the members of the ring.

Along with the arrests, police said they seized more than two pounds of heroin and fentanyl, along with $65,000 in cash and a handgun.

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Providence police said many of the suspects are mid-level dealers in Fall River and Bedford.

"These 30 were buying bricks of heroin at $120 a piece. That's a very good bargain in the heroin market. it's very cheap. they were making a lot of money,” said Hugh Clements with the Providence Police Department.

One brick of heroin and fentanyl contains about 50 hits of the drug.

Johan Jimenez, 26, is an alleged leader of the operation, along with Yohanna Sanchez, Edwin Perez and Ana Perez.

Officials are still searching for six people who they have warrants for, but haven’t been arrested yet.

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