Kilogram Of Cocaine, 16 Guns Seized In Woonsocket Drug Sting

WOONSOCKET, RI — A cache of 16 guns, military-style bullet proof vests, ammunition, cross bows and a kilogram of cocaine were seized in Woonsocket as part of what the U.S. District Attorney's Office said may have been a pipeline of drugs from Puerto Rico to Rhode Island.

Five people were charged on Tuesday following a joint investigation from U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents and law enforcement and officers from the Rhode Island High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents believe the trafficking pipeline may have been responsible for U.S. Mail shipments of upwards of 100 kilograms of cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

On Tuesday, USPIS agents said they also intercepted and seized three packages sent from Puerto Rico to addresses in Woonsocket.

According to court documents, 15 unsecured firearms, many of which were loaded, including a modified AK-47, were seized from one Woonsocket residence. Police said the firearms were within reach of a 6-year-old child, who was in the residence.

Luis Alvarez, 25, was charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and using the U.S. Mail to commit a drug felony.

William Lugo, 29, was charged at another Woonsocket residence where another gun was found. He was charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and using the U.S. Mail to commit a felony. According to court documents, Lugo is on probation for a 2016 firearm conviction.

According to court documents, about 55 mail packages suspected of containing one or more kilograms of cocaine were shipped from Puerto Rico to Woonsocket since January 2019.

Those receiving and sending the packages used fake names, but the packages had similar handwriting on them, according to court documents.

Also charged on Tuesday with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and using the U.S. Mail to commit a drug felony were Natasha Belardo, 27, of Woonsocket and Hector G. Rios, 37, of Cranston.

Woonsocket police assisted in the arrest of Alvarez, Lugo and Belardo.

The U.S. District Attorney's Office said a warrant for the same charges was issued to Victor L. Casanova, of Woonsocket.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.