United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PROVIDENCE, R.I. –  A Providence man who was arrested by members of the FBI’s Rhode Island Safe Streets Gang Task Force during an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking throughout Rhode Island pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to charges of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Casimiro Pereira, 30, admitted that on July 25, 2019, and on August 15, 2019, he sold and delivered 20 grams of crystal meth to another individual.

A court-authorized search of Pereira’s residence on January 31, 2022, resulted in the seizure of approximately 136 grams of crystal meth and 8 grams of crack cocaine, along with various items used in the preparation, packaging, and distribution of crystal meth and crack cocaine.

Pereira is scheduled to be sentenced on March 2, 2023. Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine is punishable by a statutory minimum mandatory term of incarceration of 10 years; distribution of methamphetamine is punishable a statutory minimum mandatory term of incarceration of 5 years. The defendant’s sentences will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and Christine D. Lowell.