Four Charged for Trafficking 50 Kilograms of Cocaine to RI from Puerto Rico

Four Charged for Trafficking 50 Kilograms of Cocaine to RI from Puerto Rico

Four people have been charged for their roles in a drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy that saw at least 50 kilograms of cocaine come to Rhode Island from Puerto Rico through the mail, announced U.S. Attorney Aaron Weisman on Tuesday.

According to the U.S. Attorney, on Monday,  Arcadio Torres, 38, of North Providence, Nelson Carvalho, 45, of Cranston, and George Mojica, 40, of Central Falls, were ordered detained.

They are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; unlawful use of a communication facility (U.S. Mail) to facilitate the distribution of a controlled substance; and conspiracy to engage on money laundering and money laundering.

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An arrest warrant has been issued for a fourth person.

The Incident

According to court documents, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has identified approximately 51 Priority Mail parcels allegedly sent by members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) to various address in Rhode Island. 

The parcels list sender names that are not associated with the listed return addresses in Puerto Rico, and similarly, list recipients who are not associated with the Rhode Island address to which the parcel is sent.

USPIS agents determined that many of the shipments were tracked via USPS tracking information, and that several individuals monitored and retrieved the deliveries.

The parcels were turned over to the alleged leaders of the DTO in Rhode Island.