United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Dennis Bernard, 29, of Cranston, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to trafficking heroin and crack cocaine, announced Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney.

Bernard was arrested by detectives and officers from the Cranston and Warwick Police Departments on June 26, 2015, following a joint investigation by members of the Cranston Police Special Investigations Unit and the Warwick Police Special Operations Group into Bernard’s drug trafficking activities.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Bernard pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with the intent to distribute and possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.   According to court documents, during the late spring and early summer of 2015, members of the Cranston Police Special Investigations Unit and the Warwick Police Special Operations Group worked collaboratively to investigate Bernard’s drug trafficking activities in Cranston and in Warwick. During the investigation, a Warwick undercover detective made several purchases of crack cocaine from Bernard.  On June 24, 2015, law enforcement executed a court authorized search warrant at Bernard’s Cranston residence where they seized approximately 44 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 25 grams of heroin, and $6,251 in cash. Various items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs were also seized.

At the time of Bernard’s arrest, law enforcement seized a BMW automobile, a Rolex watch and other assorted jewelry which the investigation determined was purchased by Bernard with proceeds derived from his drug trafficking activities. The items and cash seized have been forfeited to the government.  Bernard is scheduled to be sentenced on January 8, 2016.  The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force assisted the Cranston and Warwick Police Departments in the investigation of this matter.