Investigation of drug distribution in Rhode Island and Massachusetts leads to charges, suspect accused of stashing at mother’s home

PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Peter Neronha announced that a Lincoln man has been charged in Providence County Superior Court with multiple drug trafficking offenses stemming from his arrest by the Rhode Island State Police on March 8, 2023.

The Office of the Attorney General charged 32-year-old Diego Osorio by way of criminal information, with one count of possession of one ounce to one kilogram of cocaine and one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

As alleged in the criminal information, beginning in March 2022, the RISP High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force began investigating several individuals, including Osorio, involved in cocaine distribution in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

As alleged, investigators sought and obtained search warrants for Osorio’s apartment in Lincoln, his mother’s residence in Providence where he frequently visited before allegedly selling cocaine, and his 2016 Buick Lacrosse.

As further alleged, during the morning hours of March 8, 2023, members of the HIDTA task force surveilled Osorio outside his Central Street apartment. At approximately 11:00 a.m., investigators witnessed Osorio leave his home and get into his vehicle. Investigators followed him, conducted a traffic stop, and detained him, at which time they read him his Miranda rights and informed him of the search warrants.

It is alleged that investigators searched Osorio’s apartment and seized quantities of cocaine and $11,770 in cash. Investigators then searched the Osorio’s mother’s Hawkins Street apartment in Providence and found 935.9 grams of cocaine, $1,443 in cash, and various pieces of drug paraphernalia.

As alleged in the criminal information, the State Forensic Chemistry lab confirmed the presence of cocaine in the drugs seized from Osorio’s apartment and his mother’s apartment.

Osorio is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference on January 5, 2024, in Providence County Superior Court.