Man Indicted on 8 Counts of Trafficking Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine & Crack Cocaine
Thursday, November 08, 2018
A man has been charged with eight counts of trafficking fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, as well as, being a felon in possession of a firearm
Franklin Valenzuela, 23, of Providence was charged in front of a federal grand jury in Providence on Tuesday with possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute heroin; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; distribution of cocaine; distribution of fentanyl; and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The indictment is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Investigation
According to court documents, in August 2018, Newport Police detectives launched an investigation into the alleged drug trafficking activities in Newport of Franklin Valenzuela, 23. The investigation included purchases of fentanyl by a Newport detective allegedly from Valenzuela. During the course of the investigation it was learned that Cranston Police detectives were also investigating Valenzuela’s alleged drug trafficking activities.
On August 31, 2018, an undercover Newport Police detective ordered a quantity of heroin from Valenzuela, who allegedly agreed to deliver the heroin to an apartment complex in Newport.
On that date, Newport and Cranston Police and members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force established surveillance in the area of the apartment complex in Newport and of Valenzuela’s Providence residence. Valenzuela was surveilled as he left his residence in Providence and drove to Newport.
Officers moved in and took Valenzuela into custody as he entered the apartment complex parking lot.
As Valenzuela exited the car, several small bags of heroin allegedly 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, where law enforcement allegedly seized 75 grams of cocaine and 18 grams of crack cocaine in small plastic bags, 423 grams of marijuana, a disassembled firearm and $7, 807 in cash. Also seized was a bag containing an unknown quantity of fentanyl.
Related Articles
- Providence Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Silencer Equipped Machine Gun
- Former Johnston Jewelry Distributor Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme
- Twice Deported Jamaican National Pleads Guilty to Passport Fraud Charges
- NEW: Bill Cosby Found Guilty of Sexual Assault
- RI Doctor Pleads Guilty to Healthcare Fraud & Accepting Kickbacks
- Two Plead Guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl-Laced Heroin Into Rhode Island
- Former Newport Police Sergeant Pleads Not Guilty to Wire Fraud Charges
- Mexican National Pleads Guilty in Providence to Illegal Re-Entry Into U.S.
- RI Sales Rep for Insys Therapeutics Pleads Guilty to Role in Kickback Scheme
- Two Plead Guilty to Operation of Butane Hash Oil Lab In Kinsley Ave Warehouse
- Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry into US, Trafficking Fentanyl Laced Heroin
- Albanian National Pleads Guilty to Breaking Into Target Store in Smithfield
- Manafort to Plead Guilty in Mueller Investigation
- NEW: Former Trump Campaign Manager Manafort Found Guilty on 8 Counts
- Man Pleads Guilty to Extensive Mortgage Fraud Scheme in Rhode Island
