A Providence man who was found in possession of nearly half a kilo of fentanyl concealed inside an apartment he shared with five other people, including two babies, has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison, according to United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy sentenced Stanli S. Arias De La Rosa, 31, to 71 months in prison, followed by three years of federal supervised release. On April 30, 2024, he pled guilty to possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.
Members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force apprehended Arias in March 2023, six months after the York County Sheriff’s Office in Nebraska discovered approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle during a traffic stop. Despite his release following his court appearance, Arias did not return to Nebraska to face the accusations.
According to evidence produced in court, in March 2023, a West Warwick detective who was also a member of the DEA Drug Task Force developed information aimed at locating a high-level drug dealer. On March 10, 2023, authorities conducted a court-authorized search of Arias’ Providence flat and discovered narcotics strewn around. Authorities seized approximately 454.9 grams of fentanyl, 43 grams of cocaine, 14.5 grams of crack cocaine, digital scales, and other narcotics-related items.
There were two mothers with their babies and an adult man in the flat during the search.
Christine D. Lowell, Assistant United States Attorney, prosecuted the case.
The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force and the Smithfield Police Department investigated the incident.
