Providence man sentenced after one of Rhode Island’s biggest drug busts

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man was found to be in possession of more than 22 kilograms of heroin after selling two to law enforcement back in 2018 was sentenced to seven years in federal prison on Monday.

According to court documents, 50-year-old Jose Figueroa Rosales pleaded guilty on April 17, of this year, to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 100 grams of heroin.

During the trial, the State was able to prove that on Nov. 18, back in 2018, Figueroa sold two kilograms of heroin to law enforcement while he was under investigation by the Rhode Island Drug Enforcement Administration Drug Task Force.

Later that day, officers executed a search warrant on his home and seized more than 22 kilograms of heroin, making it among the largest drug seizures in Rhode Island by law enforcement.

Figueroa was sentenced to 84 months in state prison followed by four years of supervised released.