Crazy Train: RI Man Charged With Smuggling Pounds Of Meth On Amtrak From NYC

The Johnston man was arrested when he arrived in Providence, a Drug Enforcement Administration task force said.

By Joseph Hosey, Patch Staff

Apr 28, 2026 10:12 am EDT

A Johnston man's scheme to smuggle pounds of methamphetamine to Providence from New York City was thwarted by an undercover investigation, a Drug Enforcement Administration task force officer said. (Janet Hosey for Patch)

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Johnston man's scheme to smuggle pounds of methamphetamine to Providence from New York City was thwarted by an undercover investigation, a Drug Enforcement Administration task force officer said.

Gabriel Penta, 31, was arrested April 22 on a charge of possession with the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, according to a warrant filed in federal court.

Earlier this year, DEA task force Alexandre Vilardo received information from an informant that Penta, under the false name "Kash," was in "negotiations" to deliver "multiple pounds of crystal methamphetamine to Rhode Island" by train Vilardo said in an affidavit.

Penta, using the name "Keith Hunter," booked a trip from Penn Station in New York the night of April 22 to arrive in Providence at 10:17 p.m., the affidavit said.

"Over the course of an approximately 18-hour period, tickets were repeatedly refunded and rebooked across more than 12 different trains," the affidavit said, before Penta finally settled on a trip that arrived in Providence at 4 p.m.

Vilardo confirmed through the conductor that "Keith Hunter" was aboard the train, where he was sitting and what he was wearing, "specifically tan cargo pants, a white T-shirt, a black and white hat, and multiple gold chains," according to the affidavit.

When the train arrived in Providence, Vilardo and another officer badged Penta and asked to speak with him, the affidavit said, be he did not respond and brushed past them.

A police dog then "conducted an open-air sniff" and "provided a positive indication on (Penta's) backpack," according to the affidavit.

A search of the backpack turned up "a clear plastic bag containing material consistent in appearance with cocaine" and a suitcase contained a "crystalline substance consistent in appearance with methamphetamine," the affidavit said.

Penta was placed under arrest.

"The two plastic bags with their contents weighed approximately 4 pounds," according to the affidavit.

Under questioning, Penta explained he used a fake name because he had outstanding warrants in Rhode Island, according the affidavit, and said he changed his train ticket repeatedly prior to his arrival in Providence.

"He admitted to booking his tickets under the name 'Keith Hunter,'” the affidavit said. "He admitted to packing the backpack and suitcase and specified that he was the only one who had packed them."

When asked what was in the backpack and suitcase, the affidavit said, Penta responded, “What does it look like?”