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Heroin Trafficker Sentenced in Rhode Island
A Providence man has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for his role in a heroin trafficking operation in the city. Pedro Mercado, 32, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with the intent to distribute in May 2014.
According to court documents, Providence Police detectives developed information about Mercado’s involvement in the trafficking of heroin in January and February 2014. The investigation included several controlled purchases of heroin from Mercado, leading to the execution of search warrants for his residence and two vehicles tied to him on February 27, 2014.
Law enforcement seized a significant amount of evidence, including 154 grams of heroin, $9,660 in cash, and two firearms. Mercado claimed the firearms were legally purchased, but their presence at the scene of the crime is still a concern.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela E. Chin. Providence Police were assisted by the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Mercado’s sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, who also ordered Mercado to serve four years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. announced the sentence, commending the efforts of law enforcement in bringing Mercado to justice.
With the conviction of Mercado, the streets of Providence are a little bit safer, and the community is one step closer to ridding itself of the scourge of heroin trafficking.
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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