http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2007/07/12/providence_police_drug_ring_offered_dealers_wages_overtime
Providence police: drug ring offered dealers wages, overtime
July 12, 2007
PROVIDENCE, R.I. --Police have charged 29 people with helping run a
citywide crack cocaine ring that offered dealers the trappings of a
normal work life, including hourly wages, overtime and lunch breaks,
authorities said.
Investigators arrested 17 people last week including the alleged
ringleader, Joanna Gonzalez, 28. Gonzalez, who is eight months
pregnant, and other alleged leaders are charged with state drug
offenses. Authorities are still searching for 12 other suspects.
Gonzalez is being held without bail at the Adult Correctional
Institutions. Her attorney could not be immediately contacted
Thursday.
After listening to months of telephone conversations, investigators
believe Gonzalez's ring was im****ting about two to three kilograms of
cocaine every week or so, said Brian Crowell, assistant special agent
in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's office in
Providence. The ring generated at least $9,000 in weekly proceeds, he
told The Providence Journal.
Police say telephone calls between alleged ringleaders reveal
Gonzalez's ring operated like many other small businesses, complete
with employee grumbling.
Dealers worked regular ****fts, got half-hour lunch breaks, time off
and hourly wages of between $32 to $40. Ringleaders said those below
them could work all the "overtime" they wanted, police said. A few
distributors were overheard complaining they weren't making enough
money.
Detective also accuse Gonzalez and her co-defendants of using children
as lookouts and drug runners, even sta****ng drugs in their backpacks
for delivery.
"It's just sickening," said Providence Police Lt. Thomas Verdi.
"(Gonzalez) was pretty much grooming them to do what she does."
|
