Providence Man and Dominican National Charged with Fentanyl Trafficking

BOSTON – A Providence man and a Dominican national were arrested yesterday and charged in federal court in Boston today with fentanyl conspiracy.

Dario Bier Romero, 27, of Providence, R.I., and Luis Cirino, 35, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

On June 21, 2018, investigators seized approximately three kilograms of fentanyl from Romero and Cirino during a federal investigation in Woburn. During the execution of a search at Romero’s residence in Providence, investigators seized an additional kilogram of fentanyl and drug packaging paraphernalia. 

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $10 million. Cirino will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division, made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police Department, Woburn Police Department, and Providence (R.I.) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.