Feds: Over 100 kilos of cocaine shipped through mail to Woonsocket

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)– Federal investigators have charged five people in connection with what they called a “cocaine pipeline” from Puerto Rico to Woonsocket.

A statement from U.S. Attorney Aaron Weisman said the trafficking ring is suspecting of using the U.S. postal service to ship over 100 kilos of cocaine into the state.

Warrants issued for four addresses in Woonsocket connected to the investigation also turned up “16 firearms, multiple military style bullet proof vests, ammunition, cross bows, a kilogram of cocaine, a cocaine press, and other items used in the distribution of cocaine,” Wesiman said.

Court evidence claimed that at one address searched, loaded weapons were in plain view and in easy access of a six-year-old child.

According to testimony, U.S. postal inspectors identified nearly 55 packages suspected of containing cocaine shipped from post offices in Puerto Rico to various addresses in Woonsocket, beginning in January 2019. Investigators said multiple packages were sometimes mailed on the same day.

Investigators believe that the members of the ring worked together to track and retrieve the shipments before delivering them to the addresses searched under the warrants.

Among those arrested were:

•  Luis Alvarez, 25, of Woonsocket, charged  with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communication facility (U.S. Mail) to commit a drug felony
• William Lugo, 29, of Woonsocket, charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communication facility (U.S. Mail) to commit a drug felony
• Natasha Belardo, 27, of Woonsocket, and Hector G. Rios, 37, of Cranston, each charged with with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communication facility (U.S. Mail) to commit a drug felony

An arrest warrant was also issued for a fifth person accused of being a member of the ring.  Victor L. Casanova, 26, of Woonsocket. Casanova is charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communication facility (U.S. Mail) to commit a drug felony, federal investigators said.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020