15 People Sentenced in Heroin & Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy As Part of Operation Triple Play

15 People Sentenced in Heroin & Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy As Part of Operation Triple Play

The federal initiative dubbed Operation Triple-Play has claimed it's fifteen individuals who was arrested, charged and convicted for leading or taking part in a drug trafficking conspiracy.  The gang repeatedly arranged for and supervised multi-kilogram shipments of heroin and cocaine from Mexico to stash houses in Cranston and Woonsocket.

The drugs were then shipped to dealers in Providence; Boston, MA; or Hartford, CT.

See the Convictions in the Chart Below

“This investigation by a team of hard-working, relentless members of law enforcement under the direction of the Rhode Island FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force drove a spike through the heart of a significant drug trafficking organization and put them out of business. An equally committed team of prosecutors ensured that each and every defendant arrested and charged was held accountable for their actions. This office and law enforcement remain committed to working together to provide the personnel and the resources necessary to disrupt and dismantle criminal drug trafficking organizations that destroy so many lives,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman.

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The Investigation

An FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force investigation “Operation Triple Play,” which was named in reference to three brothers, Juan, Claudio, and Hector Valdez, all Dominican nationals who admitted to running the drug trafficking organization, dismantled the operation that imported substantial quantities of heroin and cocaine from Mexico into Rhode Island.

Juan Valdez, 51, of Milton, Mass., and Claudio Valdez, 46, of Woonsocket, R.I., are currently serving sentences of 20 years in federal prison. Hector Valdez, 45, of Woonsocket, R.I., is serving a sentence of 108 months in federal prison.

In addition to executing fourteen court-authorized searches in three states and arresting fifteen individuals, law enforcement seized nearly 3.5 kilograms of fentanyl, nearly four kilograms of heroin - most of which was laced with fentanyl, more than 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 142 grams of crack cocaine, more than 137 pounds of cutting agents, $45,500 in cash, and nine vehicles, five of which were found to contain hidden compartments used for the transportation of drugs and money.

Eleven of the “Operation Triple Play” defendants, many who had been living in the United States with stolen identities, including the three brothers who led the drug trafficking organization, have or will face deportation proceedings. According to court records, Juan Valdez was previously deported from the United States on four occasions.

Claudio and Hector were previously deported on one occasion.