Providence police seize fentanyl, cocaine, find sophisticated drug hides in Elmwood home

PROVIDENCE − A suspicious package flagged by the U.S. Postal Service led Providence police detectives to more than 20 pounds of narcotics potentially worth as much as $2 million on the street, the police said Tuesday.

Detectives arrested two residents and seized 9 kilograms of fentanyl as well as 3 kilograms of cocaine and a gun, according to Providence police Maj. David Lapatin.

A third man implicated in the illegal narcotics activity is being held by police in New Jersey and faces charges here, according to police.

The package had been shipped to Providence from Mesa, Arizona, said Providence police Capt. Roger Aspinall.

Working with the postal service and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Providence police saw delivery of the package at a home on Bellevue Avenue on Thursday morning.

A 49-year-old woman received the package and was arrested.

In the house, a search dog named Vader detected narcotics in a bureau, the police said.

The top section of the bureau, just under the top surface, was ornamental and didn't have a drawer.

It concealed a hidden compartment, said Aspinall. Electronically-controlled hydraulic pistons raise up the top platform to reveal a compartment.

"This was probably one of the more sophisticated narcotics operations we've seen in the city in years," said Aspinall, who estimated the value of the seized narcotics at $1.5 million to $2 million.

"It's outstanding work," said Providence's acting police chief, Cmdr. Oscar Perez.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Police dog finds hidden compartment during search of Providence home