United States Drug Enforcement Administration

APR 27 - PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Michael Bermudez, a/k/a Michael J. Morales, 35, of Cranston, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for trafficking cocaine and fentanyl laced heroin, announced Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the DEA for New England, Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, and Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Bermudez to serve four years supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration. Bermudez pleaded guilty on January 27, 2017, to one count each of possessing with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and possessing with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of cocaine. Bermudez was detained by Cranston Police detectives on October 6, 2016, after a court authorized search  of his residence resulted in the seizure of 139 grams of fentanyl laced heroin and 153 grams of cocaine.

According to information provided to the court, on October 6, 2016, Cranston Police Department detectives, with the assistance of agents from the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force, executed a court authorized search at Bermudez’s residence. The search resulted in the seizure of approximately 6,600 packets containing a total of 139 grams of fentanyl laced heroin and several plastic bags containing a total of 153 grams of cocaine. The search warrant was authorized by the court during an investigation into Bermudez’s drug trafficking activities, which included multiple controlled purchases of heroin from Bermudez.

According to information presented to the court, after being detained by Cranston Police, Bermudez described to investigators receiving approximately $12,000 worth of heroin from a supplier on multiple occasions and distributing the heroin within a two-day period.  According to court records, Bermudez was on Rhode Island state probation at the time of his arrest in this matter, having been convicted in Rhode Island Superior Court in September 2015 on drug trafficking charges.