Convicted Drug Trafficker Arrested And Detained In Federal Custody For Allegedly Attempting To Possess A Kilo Of Cocaine With The Intent To Distribute
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Jose Ignacio Goris, 39, of Providence, was ordered detained in federal custody today, charged with attempt to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Goris was arrested on Thursday by DEA Drug Task Force agents moments after he allegedly took custody of what he believed to be a kilogram of cocaine, supplied to him by a person he believed to be a drug trafficker. The purported drug trafficker was an undercover DEA Drug Task Force agent.
Goris’ arrest and detention were announced by Michael J. Ferguson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England field division and United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha. Goris was ordered detained by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond.
According to information presented to the court, Goris was previously convicted in federal court on drug trafficking charges.
According to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant and criminal complaint filed with the court, it is alleged that beginning in early May, Goris and an undercover agent posing as a large-scale cocaine supplier from New Jersey engaged in a series of electronically monitored telephone conversations and meetings. Goris allegedly represented that he had engaged in distributing kilograms of cocaine for a long time and requested that the undercover agent supply him with multiple kilograms of cocaine.
According to the affidavit, Goris and the agent met early Thursday afternoon in Warwick, at which time Goris was shown two sham kilograms of cocaine that were hidden inside a secret compartment of an undercover vehicle. After allegedly examining the cocaine and agreeing to a negotiated price of $33,000 for a kilogram of the cocaine, Goris allegedly indicated to the agent that he was leaving to get the funds to purchase a kilogram of cocaine. He allegedly requested that they meet later in the day, closer to Providence.
According to the affidavit, during a telephone conversation late Thursday afternoon, Goris and the undercover agent agreed to meet inside a Cranston home-improvement store. After allegedly renegotiating terms of the transaction, including a price of $35,000 for a kilogram of cocaine, the agent directed Goris to a vehicle in the parking lot which he told Goris contained a bag with a kilogram of cocaine. Goris was arrested by members of the Drug Task Force moments after he allegedly retrieved the bag from the vehicle.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul F. Daly, Jr. and Ly T. Chin.
West Warwick Police assisted the DEA Drug Task Force in the investigation of this matter.
The DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of agents and law enforcement officers from the DEA, ATF, IRS, Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island State Police and Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Newport, South Kingstown, Warwick and Woonsocket Police Departments.
