Crime & Safety
One from Smithfield in 15 Swept Up in the Valdez Heroin Ring
Three are being charged for re-entering the U.S. after they were deported, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

WOONSOCKET, RI — Fifteen suspects are being charged in connection with Operation Triple Play, the drug ring trafficking cocaine and heroin from Mexico into Rhode Island and other New England States. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Providence, three of the 15 had been deported before and re-entered the U.S. The Valdez brothers were high-level drug traffickers, according to the chart, which shows all the defendants in the case.
Hector Valdez, aka Arnaldo Lopez/aka Jose Ocasio/aka Jose Altagracia/aka Jorge Figueroa/aka Hector Nunez/aka Jesus Perez/ aka Ramon Vegas
Age: 47
Woonsocket, RI
• Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of
Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
• Being an Alien Who Has Illegally Reentered the United States After Deportation
Claudio Valdez, aka Carlos Giovanetti Torres / aka Luis Hernandez
Age: 44
Woonsocket, RI
• Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of
Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
• Being an Alien Who Has Illegally Reentered the United States After Deportation
Find out what's happening in Woonsocketfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Juan Valdez, aka Edwin Garcia/aka Miguel Morillo/ aka Alan Medeiros/ aka "Canita," / aka Cabezon
Age: 50
Milton, MA
• Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of
Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
• Being an Alien Who Has Illegally Reentered the United States After Deportation
Vladimir Arias, aka Orlando Robles/ aka Franklin Arias
Age: 31
Peabody, MA
• Conspiracy to Distribute a Kilogram or More of Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
Find out what's happening in Woonsocketfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Manuel Castillo
Age: 38
Providence, RI
• Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
Alexandra Garcia, aka Sandra Rodriguez
Age: 38
Milton, MA
• Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of
Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
Tanya Croteau
Age: 37
Woonsocket, RI
• Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of
Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
Jennifer Perdomo
Age: 41
Providence, RI
• Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of
Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
Juan Bautista
Age: Unknown
Hartford, CT
• Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and a Kilogram or More of
Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
Jafar Munir
Age: 60
Smithfield, RI
• Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
Unidentified Male, aka Jesus Delgado-Sierra, aka Carlito, aka Carlos
Age: 36
Roslindale, MA
• Conspiracy to Distribute a Kilogram or More of Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
Edgardo Romero
Age: Unknown
Dorchester, MA
• Conspiracy to Distribute a Kilogram or More of Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
Louis A. Pellot
Age: 42
Central Falls, RI
• Conspiracy to Distribute a Kilogram or More of Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
Ramon Guzman, aka Mariano Guzman
Age: 36
Providence, RI
• Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
Wandy Diaz, aka Jose DeJesus-Escbales/ aka Canelo
Age: 36
Revere, MA/Providence, RI
• Conspiracy to Distribute a Kilogram or More Heroin
• Unlawful Use of Communication Facilities in Committing or Facilitating the
Commission of Felony Controlled Substance Offenses
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