Cranston police arrest city man and Johnston resident following traffic stop; seize loaded gun, crack and Fentanyl

By RORY SCHULER
Posted 11/1/21

Col. Michael J. Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, has announced the arrest of two men, one from Cranston, and the other from Johnston, following a traffic stop.

The two men were …

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Cranston police arrest city man and Johnston resident following traffic stop; seize loaded gun, crack and Fentanyl

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Col. Michael J. Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, has announced the arrest of two men, one from Cranston, and the other from Johnston, following a traffic stop.

The two men were allegedly found to be in possession of narcotics and a loaded handgun, according to Cranston Police.

On Oct. 27, at approximately 4:15 p.m., members of the Cranston Police Department Patrol Division conducted a traffic stop after allegedly observing a driver commit various motor vehicle violations while traveling in the area of Cranston Street, according to a Cranston Police press release.

The vehicle diver was identified as Jarred Alba, 25, of 101 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston, and a passenger in the vehicle was identified as Troy Lassiter, 49, of 26 John St., Johnston, according to police.

“A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of forty-nine (49) counterfeit pills stamped with the numerical identifier E-404, associated with an amphetamine commonly prescribed to treat ADHT and narcolepsy,” according to the Cranston Police press release. “Later, a field test revealed the pills contained fentanyl, a potent pain killer responsible for multiple deadly opioid overdoses. Also discovered inside the vehicle was a quantity of crack cocaine, a digital scale, and a loaded .45 caliber handgun.”

Police said Alba attempted to flee on foot during the traffic stop but was quickly apprehended and placed in custody despite his efforts to resist arrest.

Lassiter remained at the scene and was found to have an active arrest warrant from the Third District Court, according to Cranston Police.

Alba was charged with Carrying a Firearm While Committing a Crime of Violence, License Required for Carrying a Pistol, Possession with Intent to Deliver Schedule I-II (fentanyl), Possession of Schedule I-V (crack cocaine), Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting Arrest, according to Cranston Police.

Lassiter was charged with Possession of Schedule I-V (crack cocaine) and the 3rd District Court Warrant, and ordered held without bail pending a bail hearing, according to Cranston Police.

Police said Lassiter’s bail was set at $50,000 with surety.

“The public should be warned that there is an influx of counterfeit prescription pills being sold on the black market here in Rhode Island,” Winquist said. “These pills contain high purity levels of fentanyl or methamphetamine, resulting in overdose deaths of unsuspecting users in Cranston and throughout the country. These counterfeit pills are being produced to resemble prescription pills such as OxyContin, Adderall, and Xanax. These drugs are popular among high school and college students and are referred to as study drugs. Only use prescription pills prescribed to you and purchased from a legitimate pharmacy. Buying pills on the street can have deadly consequences.”

If you have any information regarding the sale of narcotics in our community, please contact the Cranston Police Special Investigations Unit at 401-477-5160. You may also contact them at their main number, 401-942-2211, or anonymously by using Tipsoft.com.

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