PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Law enforcement authorities announced Friday that they have made the largest heroin bust in Rhode Island history, seizing 19 kilograms, or 42 pounds, of heroin valued at $4.5 million and arresting two men allegedly involved in an interstate drug-trafficking ring.
The ring was busted, authorities said, in a classic manner: a person who was caught in possession of drugs agreed to work for investigators by making additional purchases that were secretly monitored by detectives.
The seizure was announced by, among others, U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Providence public safety officials, and Brian Boyle, assistant special agent in charge of the New England Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The suspects, facing federal drug charges, were arrested in Providence and identified as Jorge Daniel Estrada, 21, of Providence, and Angel Feliz, 47, of Dorchester, Mass.
The previous largest seizure was 6 kilograms seized in Providence in 2004.
-- This report was originally published at 11 a.m. and corrected at 4 p.m. John J. Arvanitis was not among the participants.