NORTH SMITHFIELD – North Smithfield police took part in two major drug busts this month, seizing cash and narcotics in the separate incidents, thanks to information received over the course of two days.
Kerrie Dugas, 42, of Woonsocket, was charged with possession and distribution of a schedule I or II controlled substance, after police reportedly caught her with 20 grams of fentanyl, 34 suboxone strips and $3,742.92 dollars in cash.
A second suspect, Jose Medeiros, 25, of North Smithfield, is facing three charges of possession and distribution of a schedule I or II controlled substance, one count each for schedule I-V and III/IV substances and one count of possession of more than one ounce of marijuana.
According to a press release on Wednesday, Jan. 20, North Smithfield Police Detectives received information that an individual, later identified as Dugas, was selling fentanyl in multiple jurisdictions earlier this month.
Detectives reportedly surveilled Dugas as she made a hand to hand transaction in the Lil’ General parking lot on Great Road. Officers approached Dugas’s vehicle to discover she had a large bag of suspected fentanyl in her hand, along with cash.
Dugas was arraigned at Kent County District Court on Wednesday, Jan. 6 and was held as a bail violator. She will be required to appear in court at a later date.
The day after police arrested Dugas, detectives reportedly received information that Medeiros was selling cocaine out of his residence on Follett Street in North Smithfield.
Detectives surveilled Medeiros’s Follett Street home as he sold cocaine during two controlled narcotics buys, according to police.
An arrest and search warrant were executed in the morning hours of Monday, Jan. 11 and Medeiros was taken into custody without incident.
During the investigation detectives recovered six grams of cocaine, Xanax, four ounces of marijuana, hash oil, Adderall and cash.
Medeiros was arraigned in 3rd District Court before Judge Elaine Bucci on Jan. 11 and was held as a bail violator. Medeiros will also be required to appear in court at a later date.
