Pawtucket Heroin, Cocaine Trafficker Pleads Guilty In Federal Court
OCT 07 - PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Tomas Martinez, 27, of Pawtucket, pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal heroin and cocaine trafficking charges. Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Martinez pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of heroin with the intent to distribute and one count of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
Martinez’s guilty plea is announced by Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, in early January 2016, based on information developed by DEA agents, the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force launched an investigation into Martinez’s drug trafficking activities. The investigation included several undercover purchases of heroin from Martinez. Law enforcement surveillance of Martinez included seeing Martinez make several visits to a Weeden Street, Pawtucket residence. In March 2016, members of the Pawtucket Police Department’s Special Squad developed information that a drug stash house was being operated out of a first floor apartment at 603 Weeden Street, the same location Martinez was seen by law enforcement visiting on several occasions. On March 3, 2016, DEA Drug Task Force agents and Pawtucket Police Department detectives executed a court authorized search warrant at the apartment, and seized in excess of 100 grams of heroin, cutting agents, and other items used in the packaging and distribution of heroin and cocaine.
While law enforcement was conducting a search of the residence, Martinez arrived by vehicle and was immediately detained by law enforcement. A search of Martinez’s person and vehicle resulted in the seizure of 3.6 grams of heroin, 1.2 grams of cocaine, and $8,370 in cash. Martinez has been detained since his arrest. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on January 3, 2017.
