Rhode Island prosecutors have cracked down on a major heroin trafficking operation, sending a Cranston felon to federal prison for 12 years.
Abel Perez, 31, was sentenced Friday to 12 years in federal prison for trafficking heroin, being a felon in possession of a firearm and using a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha announced.
Perez was arrested in September 2011 by DEA agents and officers assigned to the DEA Drug Task Force following a five-month undercover investigation into his drug trafficking activities.
During the investigation, DEA agents made several controlled purchases of heroin from Perez, including one purchase of over 500 grams of the drug.
Perez was detained on September 7, 2011, after exiting his Cranston residence carrying a bag containing the heroin. A search of his vehicle and two residences in Cranston and Johnston turned up additional quantities of heroin, cash, a firearm, and ammunition.
Perez pleaded guilty on February 3, 2012, to one count each of possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith sentenced Perez to 84 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was also given a consecutive sentence of 60 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein. The DEA Drug Task Force, which includes agents and law enforcement officers from the DEA, ATF, IRS, and local police departments, conducted the investigation.
This case serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of heroin trafficking on our communities and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat this crime.
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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