Eduardo Alvarez-Gamez, Heroin Trafficking, Rhode Island 2019

A Guatemalan national has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for reentering the country illegally and trafficking heroin in Providence, Rhode Island.

Eduardo Alvarez-Gamez, 43, was arrested nine times prior to being deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in June 2004. Eight of the arrests involved larcenous conduct, affecting six victims.

Alvarez-Gamez was removed from the United States on June 14, 2004. However, he reentered the country and was arrested by members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force on February 26, 2019, after he made two deliveries of heroin, totaling nearly a kilogram.

The deliveries were monitored by members of the DEA Drug Task Force. The heroin was quickly seized by law enforcement following each delivery. Alvarez-Gamez pleaded guilty on October 2, 2019, to distribution of one hundred grams or more of heroin and illegal re-entry.

At sentencing on Friday, Alvarez-Gamez was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to 36 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Field Division Brian D. Boyle, and Todd M. Lyons, Acting Field Office Director, ICE Enforcement & Removal Operations, Boston Field Office.

Alvarez-Gamez faces deportation proceedings upon completion of his term of incarceration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

The Providence District Court imposed no fine in this case. Alvarez-Gamez previously was arrested nine times before being deported in 2004. He is a repeat offender and posed a significant threat to public safety.

The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations all assisted in the investigation.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/guatemalan-national-sentenced-illegal-reentry-trafficking-heroin