2 Providence men sentenced in heroin, cocaine trafficking conspiracy

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Two Providence men were each sentenced in federal court Friday to five years in prison for their role in a heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Massachusetts State Police.

Alexander Tovar, 26, and Miguel Valentin, 30, of Providence, were each sentenced for their participation in the heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy that ended with the seizure of more than 486 grams of heroin and 462 grams of cocaine.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Tovar to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Tovar pleaded guilty Sept. 12, 2014, to one count each of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

On Nov. 14, 2014, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith sentenced Miguel Valentin to five years in federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release. He pleaded guilty July 31, 2014, to one count each of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, on Dec. 21, 2013, a CBP agent inspecting packages arriving in the United States from Venezuela discovered two similar packages, one containing 486.4 grams of heroin and the other containing 462.2 grams of cocaine. The packages were addressed for delivery to separate Boston area residences. CBP shipped both packages to Boston where they were turned over to the Criminal Investigations Division of Homeland Security.

On Dec. 26, 2013, following two failed attempts by HSI Task Force undercover agents and Massachusetts State Police to deliver the package containing the heroin to the addressee, the package was returned to the shipping company office. While attempting to deliver the package, law enforcement spotted a vehicle with Rhode Island license plates and the two defendants. During the second attempted delivery, Valentin approached the delivery truck attempting to accept delivery of the package. He was refused delivery because he was not the addressee and could not prove he was authorized to accept delivery. Valentin then left the area in the vehicle being driven by Tovar.

Both defendants have been detained in federal custody since their arrest.