PROVIDENCE — Two men were arrested Thursday on multiple drug charges after a joint operation by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Providence office.
Franklin Valenzuela, 29, and Michael Vargas, 24, both of Providence, face numerous felony charges including delivery of fentanyl to an undercover police officer, controlled substance conspiracy, and possession with intent to deliver fentanyl and cocaine.
Authorities say Valenzuela and Vargas were found in possession of over a kilogram of fentanyl and between 1 ounce and 1 kilogram of cocaine.
Both men were arraigned before a justice of the peace and ordered held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions pending formal arraignment in Sixth Division District Court.
A third man, Yeicoll Jimenez, 23, of Providence, was arrested on a charge of possession of less than 10 grams of fentanyl.
He was released with a future court date.
The arrests were made on Aug. 29, 2024, following an investigation by the HIDTA Task Force with assistance from DEA Providence.
Major Kenneth Moriarty, Detective Commander, said the operation dealt a significant blow to fentanyl distribution in the area.
The investigation is ongoing.
