Federal, State Prosecutors To Jointly Prosecute NK Cocaine Drug Bust

Federal and state prosecutors will join forces to prosecute one of Rhode Island’s biggest drug busts.

U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced that senior drug prosecutors from their offices will team up to prosecute three out-of-state men who were .

“This is a classic case where, as the investigation unfolded, it led us to determine to jointly pursue this with our federal partners,” said Kilmartin in a press release. “I commend our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in helping bring down one of the state’s largest drug bust on record. It is this type of communication and cooperation that leads to the arrest and conviction of violent and dangerous criminals and to improved safety and security of our communities.”

Armando Saucedo, 30, and Andrew Rios, 39, or California, and Adilson Antonio Reyes, 29, of Utah, were each charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. The three were previously held without bail in state custody and are now being held on federal detainers.

“It is a priority of the Department of Justice and my office to prosecute significant drug trafficking cases, in particular those cases that may transcend borders,” said Neronha. “The evidence developed through the DEA and state’s investigation in this case suggests just that. We are committed to continue to work closely with the attorney general’s office and our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate, arrest and prosecute defendants involved in violent criminal activity and to prosecute the cases in the most appropriate forum.”

The bust and subsequent arrests were part of a months-long investigation between state, federal and local law enforcement agents (including the DEA, R.I. State Police, and officers from Warwick, Woonsocket and East Providence), following developments that cocaine was being transported into Rhode Island. Law enforcement officials monitored hotels in West Greenwich and Pawtucket, along with a storage facility in North Kingstown on Dry Bridge Road where the money and drugs were seized.  

No date has been set for the defendants’ initial appearance in federal court.