Providence man admits to possessing over 250 grams of fentanyl

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man admitted that he possessed over 250 grams of fentanyl only a week after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha said Mason Nieves, 30, participated in a conspiracy that distributed over 60,000 units of steroids.

Nieves was arrested for his engagement in the conspiracy on Feb. 19, 2020. Almost one year later, he pleaded guilty.

A court ordered search was executed at Nieves’ Providence residence six days after he entered his guilty plea.

The search was in connection to an ongoing Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation into trafficking fentanyl in Rhode Island.

As a result of the search, 251 grams of fentanyl and drug packaging materials were seized from Nieves’ residence.

A loaded firearm under a bed and $1,591 were also seized as a result of the search.

He pleaded guilty Wednesday to an additional charge of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Nieves is scheduled to be sentenced on June 1.