BURRILLVILLE – A Providence man is facing felony drug charges following an investigation into the death of a Burrillville man in which police impersonated a buyer.
Andres Damon Elias, 35, was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 6, and charged with two felony counts of possession with intent to distribute, and one count of maintaining a common nuisance involving a controlled substance.
According to police records, the investigation began following an overdose death on Tuesday, Dec. 7.
On Monday, Dec. 27, officers met with the mother and a close friend of the 37-year-old, who died in his bedroom. Police reportedly looked at text messages on the deceased’s phone documenting an apparent drug deal with a phone number belonging to Elias.
“The phone number was gained during another investigation by the detective division in 2019,” notes the arrest report.
On January 6, police contacted the number for a controlled narcotics buy saying they were at the decedent’s residence. When Elias showed up, he was taken into custody.
During a search following the arrest, officers located a plastic baggie containing 6 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 10 grams of suspected cocaine and $2,896 in cash.
Elias was arraigned in 6th District court on Monday, Jan. 10 and posted bond with a surety of $30,000. He has a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for May 2.
