PROVIDENCE - A federal grand jury in Providence today returned a two-count indictment charging two men from Florida with conspiring to traffic cocaine in connection with the seizure by law enforcement of more than 19 kilograms of cocaine allegedly shipped to Rhode Island from Puerto Rico.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Shelly A. Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police announce the indictment of Rinaxo M. Rufino, 33, of Miramar, FL., and Gabriel Concepcion, 27, of Kissimmee, FL., which charges them with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
Additionally, Concepcion is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
An investigation by U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Inspectors and members of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force resulted in the seizure of more than 19 kilograms of cocaine allegedly shipped from Puerto Rico to residences in Providence, Woonsocket and Central Falls. Rufino and Conception were arrested on Aug. 26, 2017, and ordered detained in federal custody following initial appearances the next day in U.S. District Court in Providence.
According to court documents and information presented to the Court, beginning on August 7, 2017, USPIS Inspectors intercepted five shipments of cocaine in various sized packages allegedly shipped from Puerto Rico to addresses in Providence, Woonsocket and Central Falls. Each of the packages were addressed to individuals not associated with the address to which the packages were shipped. In each instance, a police K-9 detected the odor of narcotics in each package prior to delivery. The packages were seized by law enforcement.
Rinaxo M. Rufino was arrested at a Central Falls residence on Aug. 26, moments after he allegedly took possession of a package that he believed contained approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine. Gabriel Concepcion was arrested moments later after he was stopped by a Rhode Island State Police trooper as he allegedly drove away from the area of the residence. A loaded firearm was allegedly located in Conception’s vehicle.
It is alleged in court documents that Rufino and Concepcion, who had been under law enforcement surveillance for some time, were seen surveilling the area of the Central Falls residence prior to and after the package was left on the doorstep of the residence by a U.S. Postal carrier. Prior to the delivery of the package, USPIS Inspectors had removed the cocaine.
Prior to the arrest of Rufino and Concepcion, USPIS Postal Inspectors took custody of packages allegedly containing cocaine earmarked for delivery to other residences in Providence, Central Falls and Woonsocket. In each instance, a police K-9 allegedly detected the odor of narcotics in each package.
* On August 4, USPIS Inspectors took possession of a package addressed to a residence in Providence, which allegedly containing 8.16 kilograms of cocaine.
* On Aug. 10, USPIS Inspectors took possession of a package addressed to a residence in Woonsocket, which allegedly contained 1.2 kilograms of cocaine.
* On Aug. 26, USPIS Inspectors took possession of a package addressed to a residence in Woonsocket, which allegedly contained 3.48 kilograms of cocaine.
* On Aug. 26, USPIS Inspectors took possession of a package addressed to Central Falls residence, different from the residence where Rufino was arrested. The package allegedly contained 3.48 kilograms of cocaine.
According to court documents, the investigation began in April 2017, when a package mailed from Providence to Puerto Rico was intercepted by USPIS Inspectors after a police K-9 allegedly reacted positively for the presence of the odor of narcotics. Acting on a federal court authorized search warrant, postal inspectors opened the package and discovered $58,010 in cash.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine is punishable by statutory penalties of 10 years to life in federal prison, a fine of $4,000,000 and lifetime supervised release. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 5 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000 and 3 years supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch acknowledges and thanks the Cranston Police Department and Rhode Island State Police K-9 Units for their assistance in this investigation.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
