Cocaine In An Ottoman: Newport Man Pleads Guilty To Trafficking

NEWPORT, RI — The Cranston police department's K-9 dog sniffed out a suspicious package at the Providence Post Office. It was shipped from Puerto Rico and going to Newport to the home of Pedro Jimenez-Rodriguez. After obtaining a search warrant, investigators opened the box. They found a child's pink ottoman and 1.13 grams of cocaine stuffed inside.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, agents from the state Drug Enforcement Administration and other authorities resealed the package. "A controlled delivery of the package by a U.S. Postal Service Inspector was scheduled," the office said.

Jimenez-Rodriguez, 41, accepted the package on Jan. 13, and police swooped in.

"Shortly after he took custody of the package, Newport Police and members of the R.I. DEA Drug Task Force executed a court authorized search of Jimenez-Rodriguez’s residence. The ottoman containing the cocaine was seized, along with various items used in the packaging and distribution of cocaine, an electronic money counter and $3,055 in cash," Acting U.S. Atty. Stephen G. Dambruch's office said.

According to court papers," in late 2016, the Newport Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the R.I. DEA Drug Task Force were investigating Jimenez-Rodriguez’s drug trafficking activity. On January 10, 2017, a U.S. Postal Inspector learned that a package was being shipped from Puerto Rico to Jimenez-Rodriguez’s Newport residence. On January 12, 2017, the package arrived at the Providence Postal Office, and a Cranston Police K-9 indicated the presence of narcotics inside the package."

Jimenez-Rodriguez, 41, pleaded guilty on Monday in Providence federal court to possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more cocaine. According to the deal, the government will recommend 72 months in prison. Jimenez-Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on Aug. 31.