Pawtucket Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Federal Prison on Drug and Firearm Charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Graviel Santos, 32, of Pawtucket, was sentenced on Wednesday to 84 months in federal prison on drug trafficking and firearm charges, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi also ordered Santos to serve three years’ supervised release upon completion of his prison term and to pay a fine of $1,000. Santos pleaded guilty in April 2014 to one count each of possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to information presented to the court by the government at the time of Santos’ guilty plea, in November 2013, members of the Pawtucket Police Special Squad completed an investigation into drug trafficking activities from an apartment where Santos and his girlfriend resided. Detectives conducted a court authorized search of the apartment on November 4, 2013, during which time they seized nearly 25 grams of heroin, 3 grams of crack cocaine, a loaded .45 caliber handgun and numerous items used in the packaging and distribution of illegal drugs.

The firearm was located inside a bin containing men’s clothing, within easy reach of the defendant who was lying on a couch when detectives entered the apartment.

According to information presented to the court, the defendant previously was convicted in Rhode Island state court on drug and domestic violence charges.

Santos has been detained since his arrest on November 4, 2013.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela E. Chin.

ATF and DEA agents assisted Pawtucket detectives in the investigation of this matter.