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Fentanyl Trafficking Ring Busted in Warwick
A Warwick man has pleaded guilty to trafficking fentanyl-laced pills disguised as Percocet, federal authorities announced today. Preston Quintanilha, 23, of Warwick, Rhode Island, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and attempt to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to court documents, Quintanilha was arrested on May 28, 2024, on a criminal complaint filed in this matter. He has been detained in federal custody since then and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 30, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Quintanilha’s guilty plea comes after a joint federal and local law enforcement investigation into his drug trafficking activities. During the investigation, the DEA made two controlled purchases of fentanyl-laced pills from the defendant in August 2023.
On September 28, 2023, law enforcement executed multiple court-authorized search warrants and seized a large quantity of fentanyl-laced pills, a bag of suspected crack cocaine, and cash from Quintanilha’s residence and a Pawtucket apartment he used to store narcotic drugs. The search warrants yielded 999 fentanyl-laced pills (107.5 grams), a bag of suspected crack cocaine, and $5,830 in cash from his residence; 1,003 fentanyl-laced pills (109.9 grams) from the Pawtucket apartment; and $4,232 in cash from his person.
Additionally, on April 16, 2024, United States Postal Service employees intercepted a package addressed to Quintanilha to be delivered to a relative’s residence. A certified K-9 dog positively alerted for the presence of a narcotic odor, and a court-authorized search of the package revealed 9,998 fentanyl-laced pills (1,085.8 grams). Quintanilha admitted that he had the package shipped to a relative’s house under the guise of it being a gift for his girlfriend.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie White, and the matter was investigated by the DEA, Warwick Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Quintanilha’s guilty plea is a significant blow to the fentanyl trafficking ring that has plagued the state of Rhode Island for months.
The Warwick man faces serious charges and a lengthy prison sentence. The investigation into his activities is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information about fentanyl trafficking to come forward.
The Grimy Times will continue to provide updates on this and other high-profile cases as more information becomes available. In the meantime, residents of Warwick and surrounding areas are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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