Prov Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Trafficking Drugs, Guns in Newport

Prov Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Trafficking Drugs, Guns in Newport

A Providence man has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison on drug trafficking and firearm charges, announced U.S. Attorney Aaron Weisman

Franklin Valenzuela, 24, was arrested on August 31, 2018, in Newport and pleaded guilty on June 25, 2019, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl; distribution of cocaine and fentanyl; and felon in possession of a firearm.

Following his prison sentence, Valenzuela is to serve four years of supervised release.

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The Investigation

According to the U.S. Attorney, Valenzuela was arrested on August 31, 2018, as he arrived to deliver drugs for the third time in four days to the undercover Newport Police detective.

The two previous deliveries tested positive for a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.

During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Cranston Police Department detectives were also investigating Valenzuela’s drug trafficking activities.

At the time of his arrest, as he exited his vehicle, several small bags of heroin fell from Valenzuela’s lap. He was also found to be in possession of $1,393 in cash.

According to court documents, Valenzuela consented to a search of his Providence residence from which law enforcement seized approximately 53 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, 90 grams of fentanyl, 70 grams of cocaine, 16 grams of crack cocaine, 412 grams of marijuana, a partly disassembled firearm, and $7,807 in cash.

An additional 22 grams of crack cocaine and 6 grams of fentanyl were found inside a secret compartment in Valenzuela’s vehicle.