News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2002

Contact:
Special Agent Diane Brackett
Public Information Officer
617-557-2308

DEA Cape Cod Task Force Arrests 2 From Providence, RI

Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville; United States Attorney Margaret E. Curran, District of Rhode Island; Chief John J. Finnegan, Barnstable Police Department; Chief Peter L. Carnes, Yarmouth Police Department; and Robert J. Pomeroy, Plymouth Police Department, announce that on September 17, 2002 and September 19, 2002, members of the DEA Cape Cod Task Force, in cooperation with the DEA Providence, RI Task Force, culminated a four-month long undercover investigation with the arrests of two individuals and the seizure of over four ounces of heroin in Providence, Rhode Island. The heroin has an estimated street value of $117,000.

DEA task force agents arrested Rasheid LEBRON, age 33, on September 17th and Sayyid COGGINS, age 25, on September 19th both of Providence, RI. A federal complaint filed on September 16, 2002 in the U.S. District Court (Providence) charges them with heroin trafficking offenses. They appeared before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court (Providence) on September 18, 2002 and September 20, 2002 respectively and were ordered detained pending further proceedings.

Over the last several years, DEA task force agents have developed information indicating that Providence drug traffickers are the source of much of the heroin being distributed on Cape Cod. According to an affidavit supporting the complaint charging LEBRON and COGGINS, DEA task force agents have arrested several heroin dealers on Cape Cod who have provided information leading to alleged heroin distribution activities of LEBRON in Providence. According to the affidavit, several of those individuals arrested have identified LEBRON as their source of supply for heroin.

"DEA agents have long suspected that much of the heroin on Cape Cod comes from the Providence area, which serves as a drug pipeline to southeastern Massachusetts and other areas of New England," said Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the New England Field Division. "The arrests and seizures in this investigation result from the strong partnerships that we have formed with various state and local police departments," states Trouville.

The DEA Cape Cod Task Force is comprised of DEA Special Agents and Task Force Agents from the Internal Revenue Service, Barnstable and Plymouth Police Departments. This task force routinely assists various local police departments throughout Cape Cod, as well as Plymouth County. We would like to thank the Providence, RI Police Department for their participation and assistance with this investigation.

A federal complaint is merely and accusation. It is the Government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

For additional information please contact Special Agent Diane Brackett, New England Field Division Public Information Officer at 617-557-2308.