RI State Police Seize 45 lbs of Pot

On October 2, 2014, at approximately 7:00 a.m., members of the HIDTA Task Force executed four (4) court authorized search warrants and an arrest warrant. The search warrants were executed at 181 Lakeside Drive, Warwick, RI; 33 Locust Avenue, Warwick, RI; 30 Salem Trail, Narragansett, RI; and 15 Muratore Lane, Narragansett, RI. These search warrants resulted in the seizure of approximately 45 lbs of marijuana, 49 marijuana plants, 2.5 lbs of hash oil, 23 vials of steroids and $29,298.00 United States currency.

Brett Mistofsky, age 38, of 30 Salem Trail, Narragansett, Rhode Island is alleged to have been the leader of this illegal narcotics distribution organization. He was arrested and charged with:
1. Delivery/Possession/Manufacturing with Intent to Deliver Schedule I (Marijuana);
2. Delivery/Possession/Manufacturing with Intent to Deliver Schedule I (Hash Oil);
3. Possession of Schedule I (Marijuana) greater than five (5) kilograms;
4. Controlled Substance Conspiracy;
5. Possession of Schedule III/IV (Steroids); and
6. Affidavit & Arrest warrant from the Rhode Island State Police for Tax Evasion.

Tonya Gail Bess, age 38, of 30 Salem Trail, Narragansett, Rhode Island was arrested and charged with:
1. Delivery/Possession/Manufacturing with Intent to Deliver Schedule I (Marijuana);
2. Delivery/Possession/Manufacturing with Intent to Deliver Schedule I (Butane Honey Oil); and
3. Controlled Substance Conspiracy

Thomas Mellor, age 43, of 15 Muratore Lane, Narragansett, Rhode Island was arrested and charged with:
1. Delivery/Possession/Manufacturing with Intent to Deliver Schedule I; and
2. Controlled Substance Conspiracy

All three subjects were processed at State Police Headquarters and arraigned by Justice of the Peace. The subjects were all held without bail until a formal arraignment on October 3, 2014 at the Kent County Court House.

A person found guilty of Possession of Over Five (5) kilograms of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver may be subject to a fine of not more than one million dollars ($1,000,000), and life imprisonment or both. A person found guilty of Conspiracy of the Controlled Substance Act is subject to the same punishment prescribed in this chapter for the commission of the substantive offense of which there is a conspiracy to violate. A person found guilty of Tax Evasion from violations of the Rhode Island Controlled Substance Act may be subject to a fine not more than twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000), or imprisoned not more than twenty (20) years, or both.

The HIDTA Task Force is managed by the Rhode Island State Police and comprised of members from Providence Police, Pawtucket Police, Johnston Police, Central Falls Police, North Providence Police, West Warwick Police, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations.

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