NORTH SMITHFIELD – A Woonsocket woman caught hiding in the shower of a North Smithfield motel is facing felony charges after she was caught with narcotics an cash, and admitted to police that she sells drugs.
Samantha Plante, 28, of Woonsocket, was arrested on Friday, Feb. 5 and charged with possession with intent to distribute a schedule I-II narcotic and possession of a schedule I – V narcotic. She also received a citation for possession of marijuana, and had bench warrants, according to police.
The incident began around 11:40 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, when police were called to the Hilltop Lodge by an anonymous party for possible drug activity, according to Plante’s arrest report.
Officers questioned the driver of a vehicle sitting in the motel parking lot, who said he was there to pick up a friend, but was unable to provide the friend’s name. The man said his friend was in room 106, and admitted he was there for narcotics.
Police knocked on the door of room 106 and found a 58-year-old man who is, “known to officers to use and be in the presence of other drug users/dealers,” according to the report. Inside, they found another man moving around in the bathroom, and asked him to come out.
While speaking with the second man, an officer reportedly heard a noise and saw the shower curtain move in the bathroom. Behind it was Plante, and nearby, he discovered a syringe, and a small box containing a scale, drug paraphernalia, a small bag containing 3 grams of a white powdery substance, a bag holding a pill, a bag with an unknown brown candy-like substance, and $1,115 in cash.
Plante said that the case was hers, and police discovered another bag in her pocket containing 11.5 grams of a “large, white rocky substance,” which she said was cocaine.
“While speaking to Plante during booking, she said she picks up about 20 grams of cocaine/fentanyl every two days and sells it to those who call her,” the arrest report notes. “She stated that she pays $60-$80 per gram and sells it for $100.”
Plante told police she was unemployed, and was asked if it would be appropriate to list her occupation as “drug dealer.” She reportedly said “yes.”
Plante was held without bail and has a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for Friday, April 16. Her previous criminal record includes several drug and assault charges.
