Johnston Man Admits to Drug Trafficking, U.S. Attorney Says

JOHNSTON, RI – A 41-year-old Johnston man pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to trafficking oxycodone and marijuana, according to U. S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations.

Catala pleaded guilty to four counts of distributing oxycodone and one count of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

According to court documents and other evidence, an informant allegedly made at least four purchases of oxycodone tablets from Catala between January 2016 and March 2016.

The sales ranged between 39 and 87 oxycodone tablets and were "electronically monitored by law enforcement," Neronha's office said.

Then on July 6, federal agents searched Catala’s Johnston residence, Neronha said. They seized 65 pounds of marijuana, more than $13,000 in cash, and several empty prescription bottles which had previously contained oxycodone tablets, he said.

A search of Catala's car turned up $1,500 in cash, Neronha said.

Johnston and Middletown police assisted with the investigation.

Catala will be sentenced on January 5, 2017.

Image via Shutterstock