Manuel Fernandez and Marco A. Vazquez-Borrego, have both been charged with possession in excess of one kilogram of cocaine, possession of cocaine

Manuel Fernandez, 44, of Plainfield Street, Providence, and Marco A. Vazquez-Borrego, 47, of Titanic Avenue, El Paso, Texas, have both been charged with possession in excess of one kilogram of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and conspiracy to possess cocaine, according to the state police. Fernandez was also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. The arrests were the result of a two-week operation where suspects negotiated purchasing 15 kilos of cocaine from an undercover member of the State Police Intelligence Unit, the state police said. After several meetings, a 15 kilogram cocaine transaction took place in the parking lot of the Super 8 Motel in West Greenwich. Once the cocaine was exchanged for the cash, an arrest team moved in, state police said.When the arrest team moved in, the state police said in a press release, the suspects tried to flee the scene in a black sport utility vehicle. As officers gave verbal commands to halt, the release said, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Fernandez, drove at one of the officers. At that time, two detectives each fired one shot at the suspects, according to the release. The suspect’s vehicle continued through the parking lot and was being approached by a vehicle containing additional members of the arrest team, the state police press release said. The suspect’s vehicle exited the right side of the motel driveway and traveled down a narrow pathway where it became stuck behind parked tractor trailers. At that time, according to the release, a third vehicle containing additional members of the arrest team moved in. The driver of the vehicle was given verbal commands to halt and was making furtive movements in the driver’s seat, the release said. A member of the arrest team discharged four rounds at the suspect, according to the release. The driver’s side of the vehicle was struck with the rounds. At that point, both suspects were taken into police custody, the release said.Fernandez sustained a minor injury to his left leg, caused either by broken glass or a bullet fragment, the state police said. He was treated and released from Kent Hospital, Warwick.
As a result of the arrest, over $300,000 in United States currency was seized, the police said. The 15 kilograms of cocaine were also recovered. The investigation revealed the two suspects have connections to a major cocaine operation in Mexico and were seeking to establish themselves as multiple-kilo cocaine distributors in the Rhode Island area, the state police said.Both suspects are currently being held pending formal arraignment and, in accordance with the attorney general’s protocol regarding police-involved shootings, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office and the West Greenwich Police Department are assisting with the investigation, the state police said.