Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A U.S. District Court jury has convicted Stiven F. Polanco of drug trafficking for his attempted sale, in early December, of 100 grams of heroin to an undercover law enforcement officer. The sting involved the Newport police and federal drug agents.

Acting U.S. Attorney Luis M. Matos said it took jurors only two hours Tuesday to reach a verdict after hearing two days' testimony before Judge William E. Smith. Polanco's codefendant, David Contreras, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.

At Polanco's trial, prosecutors presented evidence that on Dec. 3 he assisted Contreras in providing 19 grams of heroin to an undercover agent and that on Dec. 10, after Contrearas had arranged to sell 100 grams to the same officer, drug agents found the pair at the designated location waiting in Polanco's car.

A search of the car led to the seizure of 94 grams of heroin and a loaded .45-caliber handgun from a hidden compartment, and a search of Polanco's apartment yielded 12 more grams of heroin and .380-caliber ammunition.

The jury found Polanco guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin, aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin, possessing 100 grams of heroin with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Polanco and Contreras face maximum sentences of 40 years in prison and $2 million in fines. Polanco also could be given up to five years, to be served consecutively, on the firearms charge.

 Tags  david contreras drug trafficking providence ri stiven polanco us district court

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