News Release
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Rhode Island
May 21, 2008
Providence man guilty of drug trafficking: A kilo of cocaine was shipped from Venezuela in a toy car
A federal jury has found Edward Perez, of Providence, guilty of trafficking in a kilogram of cocaine that was shipped from Venezuela to Rhode Island, packed inside a toy car. A federal customs agent intercepted the shipment in December at a Federal Express facility in Tennessee, and agents arrested Perez after he took possession of the package at a Johnston address.
United States Attorney Robert Clark Corrente announced the verdict, which the jury returned yesterday after a two-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith in U.S. District Court, Providence. The jury deliberated for less than a half-hour.
During the trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan presented evidence developed by immigration and customs agents. In December, a Customs and Border Protection agent at the FedEx Consignment Hub in Memphis inspected a package from Caracas that purportedly contained a “radio-controlled car,” headed for an address in Johnston, Rhode Island. The agent discovered a kilogram of cocaine concealed in the bottom of the toy car.
After collecting evidence of the cocaine, Customs and Border Protection agents in Memphis resealed the package, and forwarded it to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Providence, who arranged a “controlled delivery” to the intended address on Plainfield Pike. On December 31, an agent wearing a FedEx uniform delivered the parcel – which now contained a package of sham cocaine hidden in the car. A woman who accepted the package said it was for her friend, “Edwin.”
With ICE and Drug Enforcement Administration agents, Rhode Island State Police and Johnston Police observing, Edwin Perez arrived at the Plainfield Pike address a short while later. After a few minutes inside, he came out with the package, and agents arrested him. While Perez was handcuffed, agents heard him trying to make a cell phone call, muttering into the phone, “The cops are here.” However, the cell phone’s records did not show a call being completed at that time.
The jury found Perez guilty of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The penalty is five to 40 years in federal prison plus a maximum fine of $2,000,000. Perez, 24, of Arch Street, Providence, is detained in federal custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for October 17.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection investigated the case, with assistance from DEA, Rhode Island State Police and Johnston Police.