Yes. The Providence Police Department narcotics unit regularly uses confidential informants in controlled buy operations, particularly in distribution and trafficking investigations. Informants typically receive consideration on their own pending charges in exchange for cooperation. Confidential informant reliability is one of the most-challenged aspects of Providence drug cases. Defense counsel can move to disclose informant identity in some circumstances or challenge the warrant based on informant credibility issues, prior false statements, or pending charges that create motive to fabricate.
