Rhode Island man sentenced for involvement in fentanyl trafficking

BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) — The U.S. Department of Justice said a Rhode Island man was sentenced Monday for his involvement in a fentanyl trafficking organization that manufactured and distributed fentanyl pills across multiple states.

Erik Ventura, 36, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

In May 2024, Ventura pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

In September 2019, police began investigating a drug trafficking organization allegedly led by Jasdrual Perez in Providence, Rhode Island.

The DTO was known to manufacture large quantities of fentanyl pills designed to appear like pharmaceutical grade oxycodone and Percocet pills, which were distributed in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

The DOJ said Ventura maintained one of the drug stash locations, and took part in the transportation of cash and quantities of drugs to and from New York.

Ventura also distributed thousands of fentanyl pills to wholesale customers in Massachusetts, as well as his own customers.

In February of 2022, police arrested Ventura and seized two industrial grade pill presses, approximately 20 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, pressed fentanyl pills and other items, including kilograms of pill binder used in the large-scale manufacturing of clandestinely pressed fentanyl pills.

Jasdrual Perez was also arrested in February 2022, and pled guilty in July 2024.