United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Sean Costigan, 51, of Pawtucket, was ordered detained in federal custody today by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on federal drug trafficking charges, following an investigation by the Warwick Police Narcotics Unit and the R.I. DEA Drug Task Force into the alleged manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine by Costigan, announced John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England field division,  United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney.

According to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant and criminal complaint filed with the court, in May 2013, Warwick Police, and DEA Drug Task Force agents and officers began an investigation into the alleged trafficking of meth by Costigan. It is alleged that on at least four occasions, between October and December 2013, an undercover law enforcement officer purchased between 1.4 grams and 6.8 grams of meth from Costigan for between $100 and $400.

On January 16, 2014, DEA agents, DEA Drug Task Force agents and officers and Warwick Police detectives executed a court authorized search of a room in a Newport inn allegedly rented by Costigan, where law enforcement discovered materials used in the manufacture and distribution of meth. Members of the DEA Clandestine Laboratory Tactical Team discovered and seized multiple items associated with a methamphetamine manufacturing operation.

Costigan, who was detained overnight at the Warwick Police Department, made an initial appearance in federal court this afternoon on a criminal complaint which charges him with four counts of trafficking methamphetamine.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela E. Chin.

The DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of law enforcement agents and officers from DEA, Rhode Island State Police, and the Cranston, East Providence, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence, South Kingstown, Warwick and Woonsocket Police Departments.