Warwick Man Admits to Trafficking Fentanyl-Laced Pills Disguised as Percocet

PROVIDENCE –A Warwick man today pleaded guilty in federal court to charges that he trafficked fentanyl-laced pills disguised as Percocet, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Preston Quintanilha, 23, pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and attempt to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Quintanilha has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on May 28, 2024, on a criminal complaint filed in this matter. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 30, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to court documents, in August 2023, during a joint federal and local law enforcement investigation into the defendant’s drug trafficking activities, the DEA made two controlled purchases of fentanyl-laced pills from Quintanilha.

On September 28, 2023, law enforcement executed multiple court-authorized search warrants and seized 999 fentanyl-laced pills (107.5 grams), a bag of suspected crack cocaine, and $5,830 in cash from his residence; 1,003 fentanyl-laced pills (109.9 grams) from a Pawtucket apartment he used to store narcotic drugs; and $4,232 in cash from his person, proceeds Quintanilha admitted were from his drug trafficking activities.

Additionally, on April 16, 2024, United States Postal Service employees intercepted a package addressed to Quintanilha to be delivered to a relative’s residence. A certified K-9 dog positively alerted for the presence of a narcotic odor. A court-authorized search of the package revealed 9,998 fentanyl-laced pills (1,085.8 grams). Quintanilha admitted that he had the package shipped to a relative’s house under the guise of it being a gift for his girlfriend.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie White.

The matter was investigated by the DEA, Warwick Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

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