Former Woonsocket Couple Admit to Directing Conspiracy that Shipped Dozens of Kilos of Cocaine Into Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE , RI – A former Woonsocket couple admitted to a federal judge in Rhode Island that they directed a conspiracy that, according to charging documents, was responsible for shipping dozens of packages containing kilograms of cocaine through the U.S. Postal Service from Puerto Rico to Rhode Island, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
As reflected in court documents, Efrain Colon-Garcia, 32, and his wife, Yaniris Colon-Senquiz, 46, led a conspiracy that was responsible for more than five dozen packages that were shipped into Rhode Island, each containing a kilogram or more of cocaine. Appearing in U.S. District Court in Providence on Thursday, the couple, who most recently resided in Kissimmee, FL, admitted that, as part of the conspiracy, they directed others to receive shipments of cocaine sent from Puerto Rico, and that they themselves received multiple shipments.
Colon-Garcia admitted to that court that he received at least nine packages at his residence and business addresses; Colon-Senquiz admitted to receiving at least four packages personally addressed to her. The defendants admitted to knowing that each package contained kilogram-quantities of cocaine.
Colon-Garcia and Colon-Senquiz each pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and a charge of unlawful use of a communication facility (U.S. Mail). They are scheduled to be sentenced on January 10, 2024. The defendants’ sentences will be determined by a federal judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Stacey A. Erickson.
The matter was investigated by U.S. Postal Service Inspectors and members of the Rhode Island High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
