on 02-19-2009 23:59

Suspect was allegedly trying to swallow bags of heroin before he was taken into custody

By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET - A man who Pawtucket Police said was trying to swallow plastic bags of heroin after police detained him for a traffic stop Wednesday morning is facing numerous drug and assault charges.

According to Patrol Officer Carl Barovier, he was called to assist Sgt. Denis Lefebrve and a State Trooper who had stopped the suspect, Daniel Suarez, on Middle Street. Barovier said that when he arrived, both LeFabvre and the state trooper were struggling with Suarez outside his maroon Ford van in an attempt to take him into custody.
Barovier said he could see that Suarez had the remnants of plastic bags on his lips. LeFabvre reportedly warned Barovier to watch where the suspect was spitting because he had been allegedly attempting to swallow and discard several bags of an unknown substance during the altercation.
Barovier said that he and the other two officers were able to get Suarez to the ground, where he continued to fight. He was subdued with pepper spray and continued to struggle with police until other back-up officers arrived.
Suarez was taken into custody and a search allegedly turned up several bags of a substance that turned out to be heroin. He also reportedly had two syringes and a knife in his pocket.
Suarez, 41, of 19 Borrows St., Providence, was charged with possession of heroin, a felony; simple assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, and driving while in possession of a controlled substance, police said.