Cranston Man Detained on Drug Trafficking Charges

Michael Bermudez, a/k/a Michael J. Morales, 34, of Cranston, was ordered detained in federal custody following an initial appearance in federal court in Providence today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Lincoln D. Almond on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.

Bermudez was detained by Cranston Police on Thursday after a search of his residence resulted in the seizure of approximately 6,600 packets of heroin and approximately 153 grams of cocaine.

Bermudez’s arrest and initial appearance is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist, and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA in New England.

According to information provided to the court, on Thursday, Cranston Police Department detectives, with the assistance of agents from the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force, executed a court authorized search warrant at Bermudez’s residence. The search resulted in the seizure of approximately 6,600 packets of heroin and several plastic bags containing a total of approximately 153 grams of cocaine. The search warrant was authorized by the court during an investigation into Bermudez’s alleged drug trafficking activities, which allegedly included multiple controlled purchases of heroin from Bermudez.

According to information presented to the court, after being detained by Cranston Police, Bermudez allegedly described for investigators his involvement in the distribution of heroin and cocaine. This allegedly included Bermudez’s description of receiving approximately $12,000 worth of heroin from a supplier on multiple occasions and distributing this heroin within a two-day period, resulting in $1000 profit to him. 

According to court records and information presented to the court, Bermudez was convicted in U.S. District Court in 2009 on fraud charges, and is currently on state probation, having been convicted in Rhode Island Superior Court in September 2015 on drug trafficking charges.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Jim Martin (401) 709-5357

email: USARI.Media@usdoj.gov

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