Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Richard Duran (age 28), of Providence, pleaded guilty today before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to one count of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, one count of possession of heroin, one count of delivery of heroin, and one count of possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. Under the terms of the plea, Duran was sentenced to 20 years with eight years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that the Intelligence Unit of the Providence Police Department conducted a nine-month undercover investigation that revealed Duran was operating a drug trafficking operation out of the residence at the Pearl Street Lofts in Providence. When Duran was arrested, police seized approximately 870 grams of heroin, 450 grams of straight fentanyl, and 75 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mixture. In addition, police seized a Walther .9mm pistol in his bedside table.
Providence Police Detective John J. Black led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorneys General Alison DeCosta and Joseph McBurney prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.