Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced To Seven Years Federal Prison

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Victor Sena, 36, of Cranston, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence today to 84 months in federal prison for possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute. Sena was arrested in March 2014, after law enforcement seized more than 90 grams of fentanyl found stashed inside a container of rice in the kitchen of Sena’s residence.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Sena to serve 3 years supervised release following completion of his prison term. Sena pleaded guilty on August 28, 2014, to one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

Sena’s sentence is announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Michael Ferguson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England field division; Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist; East Providence Police Chief Christopher J. Parella; and Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey.

“For a drug dealer like the defendant here, there is only one reason to possess such a large amount of fentanyl: to “supercharge” heroin that he is distributing on neighborhood streets," said United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha. " As we have seen far too often this year, such conduct can lead to deadly results, when heroin users overdose on a potent heroin/fentanyl mix.  Drug dealing is bad enough.  Selling drug mixtures to unwitting addicts that can lead to overdose and even death is even worse.  Such conduct deserves the kind of harsh punishment the defendant received today.”

According to information presented to the court, in March 2014, the DEA, in collaboration with the Cranston, East Providence and Woonsocket Police Departments, conducted an investigation into the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in Rhode Island by Sena. Information developed during the investigation led law enforcement to obtain a court authorized search warrant for Sena’s residence.

A search of Sena’s residence on March 25, 2014, resulted in the discovery of four plastic bags each containing 10 grams of fentanyl and a fifth bag with 53 grams of fentanyl, all stashed inside a container of rice. Agents and officers also discovered and seized several items used in the packaging and distribution of fentanyl.

Sena has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on March 25, 2014.

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

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