Providence man pleads guilty to cocaine trafficking after multi-agency investigation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to charges stemming from a cocaine trafficking operation he ran out of his city residence, according to Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Eluid Rosa-Escudero, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

The investigation into Rosa-Escudero began in January of 2025, when law enforcement conducting surveillance observed the delivery of a package suspected of containing cocaine.

It was delivered to the front porch of a Providence residence by the U.S. Postal Service.

The package was picked up by an individual in a vehicle who then drove to an area gas station where they met with Rosa-Escudero, according to Bloom’s office.

Rosa-Escudero pulled away in his own vehicle as did the individual who authorities say picked up the package, and the surveillance team followed the defendant to his home.

The person who authorities say retrieved the package was stopped by East Providence police, who identified the individual as a 15-year-old.

These events initiated a three-month, multi-agency investigation into Rosa-Escudero, and a court-authorized warrant was executed on his residence on April 10.

Two kilograms of cocaine and $10,000 in cash was seized in the operation.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service Contraband Interdiction and Investigations Task Force along with Providence and Pawtucket police and the Rhode Island State Police.

Rosa-Escudero will be sentenced on December 10.