Providence man sentenced to prison for drug trafficking, possession of nearly two kilos of cocaine

Attorney General Peter Neronha announced that a Providence man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to the Adult Correctional Institutions for drug trafficking, possession of 1,773.60 grams of cocaine, and firearm-related crimes. 

At a hearing before Superior Court Justice Kristin Rodgers, 47-year-old Elvis Hernandez pleaded nolo contendere to one count of possession of over one kilogram of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm while possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession of a large capacity magazine. Judge Rodgers sentenced the defendant to 13 years with six years to serve at the ACI.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the state was prepared to prove that in May and June of 2023, Cranston Police Department Special Investigation Unit and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force began an investigation into an individual, later identified as Hernandez, for the sale and distribution of controlled substances in the Greater Providence Area. Police obtained court-authorized search warrants for the defendant’s residence located on Sumter Street in Providence and the defendant’s vehicle, a blue Toyota Avalon.

On June 30, 2023, members of SIU and HIDTA executed the warrants at Hernandez’s Sumter Street residence. Investigators seized 1,773.60 grams of cocaine, a Mossberg .22 caliber assault rifle, a 30-round magazine, $6,869 in cash, assorted ammunition and narcotics paraphernalia.

Special Assistant Attorney General Alyse Antone Smyth of the Office of the Attorney General and Detectives John Mastrati of the Cranston Police Department Special Investigation Unit and Andrew Emerson of the Rhode Island State Police HIDTA Task Force led the investigation and prosecution of this case.