Local Men Caught in "Operation Get Shorty" Drug Sweep

The Rhode Island State Police have arrested 15 people in connection with a drug bust centered around a Providence man who was selling cocaine and known by his nickname, “Shorty.”

The state police’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force, with help from participating agencies, began an investigation two years ago into cocaine trafficking in Rhode Island. During that investigation, they identified “Shorty,” whose real name is Angel Martinez, of 80 Hamilton St., Providence, as a suspect who was dealing drugs while using several cars and associates to conduct business.

In June, police obtained a warrant to tap Martinez’s cell phones, which allowed them to intercept a mountain of evidence and dozens of names. Over the course of about a month, police intercepted more than 1,100 phone calls.

Those calls enabled police to arrest 14 people, including Martinez, and execute four search warrants between July 28 and 29. Police seized 1,250 grams of cocaine, more than $30,000 cash, drug paraphernalia, scales and seven cars.

Once in custody, police soon learned that Martinez was using a false identity and had previously been known as Carlos Davila, 38, and was wanted as a fugitive from justice in New York for escaping from work release.

The following subjects were arrested:

Carlos Davilla: age 38, of 80 Hamilton Street, Providence, RI
• Manufacturing / Possession/ Deliver greater than 1 Kilogram cocaine
• Controlled substance conspiracy (14 Counts)
• Delivery/Possession with intent to deliver & manufacture (2 Counts) • Identity fraud
• Fugitive from Justice: State of New York (Escape from Custody-Work Release)
• Held without Bail
• Bail hearing date of August 12, 2014

Tony Cruz: age 39, of 139 W Clifford Street, Providence, RI
• Manufacturing / Possession/ Deliver greater than 1 Kilogram cocaine
• Controlled substance conspiracy (6 Counts)
• Delivery/Possession with intent to deliver & manufacture (2 counts)
• Identity fraud
• Held without Bail
• Bail hearing date of August 12, 2014

Ramon Feliz: age 27, of 568 Public Street, Providence, RI
• Manufacturing / Possession/ Deliver greater than 1 Kilogram cocaine
• Controlled substance conspiracy (10 counts)
• Delivery/Possession with intent to deliver & manufacture (2 Counts)
• Held without Bail
• Bail hearing date of August 12, 2014

Patrice Amaral: age 29, of 20 Goulart Avenue, Bristol, RI
• Conspiracy – possession with intent to deliver (5 Counts)
• Conspiracy – possession with intent to deliver 1oz-1kilo (5 Counts)
• Controlled substance conspiracy (5 Counts)
• Solicitation (5 Counts)
• Held without Bail
• Bail hearing date of August 12, 2014

Jose Constancia: age 51, of 24 Goulart Avenue, Bristol, RI
• Controlled substance conspiracy
• Solicitation
• Bail: $10,000 with surety

Richard Fanara: age 51, of 28 Leroy Drive, East Providence, RI
• Controlled substance conspiracy
• Solicitation
• Bail: $3,000 with surety

Joseph Brum: age 52, of 426 High Street, Bristol, RI
• Conspiracy – possession with intent to deliver
• Conspiracy – possession with intent to deliver 1oz-1kilo
• Controlled substance conspiracy (3 Counts)
• Solicitation (3 Counts)
• Held without Bail
• Bail hearing date of August 12, 2014

John Silvia: age 53, of 19 River Street, Bristol, RI
• Conspiracy – possession with intent to deliver
• Conspiracy – possession with intent to deliver 1oz-1kilo
• Controlled substance conspiracy (2 Counts)
• Solicitation (2 Counts)
• Bail: $5,000 with surety

Jason Sousa: age 34, of 6 Varnum Avenue, Bristol, RI
• Controlled substance conspiracy
• Solicitation
• Bail: $5,000 with surety

Harold Santos: age 61, of 23 Rock Street, Bristol, RI
• Controlled substance conspiracy (2 Counts)
• Solicitation (2 Counts)
• Bail: $5,000 Personal Recognizance

Paul Querceto: age 33, of 71 Richmond Street, Bristol, RI
• Controlled substance conspiracy (2 Counts)
• Solicitation (2 Counts)
• Bail: $3,000 with surety

Stephen Graustein: age 59, of 8 Achusnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA
• Conspiracy – possession with intent to deliver
• Conspiracy – possession with intent to deliver 1oz-1kilo
• Controlled substance conspiracy (2 Counts)
• Solicitation (2 Counts)
• Held without Bail
• Bail hearing date of August 12, 2014

Glenn Baird: age 56, of 491 Stafford Road, Tiverton, RI
• Controlled substance conspiracy (2 Counts)
• Solicitation (2 Counts)
• Bail: $5,000 with surety

Emanuel Tavares: age 46, of 537 Child Street, Apt. #2, Warren, RI
• Controlled substance conspiracy
• Solicitation
• Bail: $3,000 with surety

Eric Hiltz: age 41, of 65 Horace Darling Drive, North Attleboro, MA
• Conspiracy – possession with intent to deliver
• Conspiracy – possession with intent to deliver 1oz-1kilo
• Controlled substance conspiracy (2 Counts)
• Solicitation (2 Counts)
• Arraignment pending