Providence Man Sentenced To 7 Years In Prison For Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy: Feds

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his part in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Willys Enrique Santana Ramirez, 48, had pleaded guilty in February 2025 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

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Santana Ramirez, also known as Juan Adorno, "participated in a drug trafficking conspiracy with his brother-in-law, distributing both fentanyl powder and pills containing fentanyl which were designed to resemble a legitimate prescription medication, oxycodone," according to a media release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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"As part of the investigation, Santana Ramirez arranged the delivery of approximately 900 pills in exchange for $45,000," the release said.

Santana Ramirez’s co-conspirator, Watly Federico Valenzuela Ruiz, was sentenced in April 2024, to five years in federal prison, according to the release. Santana Ramirez and Valenzuela Ruiz were arrested by Drug Enforcement Adminstration Agents in September 2021.

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“Fentanyl continues to devastate our communities, leaving a trail of addiction, loss, and shattered families in its wake,” U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda said in the release.

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“Those who traffic this deadly substance are not just breaking the law, they are fueling a crisis that is claiming lives at an alarming rate," Calenda said. "Our office remains committed to relentlessly pursuing and prosecuting those who profit from this destruction.”

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