Heroin Trafficker Sentenced To 36 Months In Federal Prison

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Pedro Mercado, 32, of Providence, was sentenced today to 36 months in federal prison for possession of heroin with the intent to distribute. Mercado was arrested by Providence Police in February 2014, during an on-going investigation into heroin trafficking in the City of Providence.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Mercado to serve 4 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Mercado pleaded guilty on May 23, 2014, to possession of heroin with the intent to distribute.

Mercado’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, in January and February 2014, Providence Police detectives developed information regarding the drug trafficking activities of Mercado during an investigation into the distribution of heroin in the City of Providence. The investigation included several controlled purchases of heroin from the defendant.

On February 27, 2014, law enforcement executed court authorized search warrants for the defendant’s residence and two vehicles with ties to Mercado. In total, law enforcement seized 154 grams of heroin, $9,660 in cash, assorted items used in the packaging and distribution of heroin, and two firearms.

Receipts seized by law enforcement indicated that the firearms were legally purchased by the defendant.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela E. Chin.

Providence Police were assisted by the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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