News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2003

Warwick Man Arrested
1300 Pounds of Marijuana Seized

Warwick, RI….A Warwick man was arrested and approximately 1300 pounds of marijuana seized.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; the Warwick Police Department and the West Warwick Police Department announced that on April 1, at approximately 9PM, The Warwick Police Department, in conjunction with the DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force, served a search warrant at a location in the City of Warwick. As a result of this warrant, approximately 1300 pounds of marijuana was seized.

This is an on-going investigation that began in one of the Southwest Border States. The ultimate point of origin of the marijuana seized was Mexico. Four search warrants have been executed in Rhode Island in conjunction with this investigation. Prior warrants were served in Warwick on March 18th and in West Warwick on March 19th. In excess of $60,000 in cash, 37 pounds of marijuana, and various documents and evidence was seized in the first three search warrants. The 100 pounds of marijuana that was seized is valued at approximately $1.5 million dollars. One Warwick man, Barry FREEDLINE of Warwick has been arrested in conjunction with the seizures.

In addition to the arrest and seizures in Rhode Island two Rhode Island based men have been arrested in Virginia in connection with this investigation, and an additional 480 lbs. of marijuana was seized and they are currently facing charges in that state.