Johnston Man Sentenced To 6 1/2 Years In Prison For Cocaine And Fentanyl Conspiracy: Feds

The conspiracy involved shipping parcels of cocaine and fentanyl to Rhode Island, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

By Joseph Hosey, Patch Staff

Apr 21, 2026 10:22 am EDT

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Johnston man was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for his part in a cocaine and fentanyl distribution conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Nelson Reyes Luciano, 41, had pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.

The conspiracy involved shipping 10 parcels of cocaine and fentanyl to Rhode Island through two different private commercial mail carriers, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a media release.

Starting in February 2022, Reyes Luciano shipped packages containing cocaine and fentanyl from California to the Providence home of co-conspirator Rosangeles Bueno, according to the release, which said Bueno was charged and convicted in a separate case.

Reyes Luciano and Bueno "regularly communicated about the shipments of the drugs sent to her home and her receipt and storage of the drugs," the release said.

"During execution of a court-authorized search warrant at Bueno’s home, law enforcement found cocaine and fentanyl as well as scales, baggies, presses, molds, and respirators that are used for packaging drugs for distribution," according to the release.

“Trafficking fentanyl and cocaine is a dangerous and deliberate act that claims lives within Rhode Island and communities throughout our country,” U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda said in the release.

“This sentence should send a clear message to those who chose to engage in this type of criminal conduct that we will investigate, prosecute, and hold them accountable," Calenda said. "I commend the dedicated prosecutors in our office, along with our law enforcement partners, for their relentless efforts in this case and their continued work in removing dangerous criminals from our streets and bringing them to justice.”