PROVIDENCE – Two Rhode Island men were arrested for allegedly trafficking more than seven kilos of fentanyl pills and powder as the result of an FBI investigation according to an announcement on Monday, Oct. 2 by U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha.
Matthew Jones, 29, of North Smithfield, and Jorge Pimentel, 33, of Cranston, were charged with federal criminal complaints of conspiracy to distribute and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl; and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to a release, on multiple occasions Pimentel arranged for the sale and delivery of thousands of fentanyl pills, some of which were delivered by Jones.
In addition to the seizure of tens of thousands of fentanyl pills during the investigation, on Thursday, Sept. 28, members of the Safe Street Task Force executed a court-authorized search of a storage unit in Pawtucket and seized approximately 5.7 kilos of fentanyl; 50 kilos of binding agents used in the production of fentanyl pills; two commercial pill presses; and a kilo press.
Altogether, more than 75,000 fentanyl pills and more than two kilograms of powder fentanyl were reportedly seized in connection with the investigation.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make neighborhoods safer according to. the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey Erickson and Milind Shah.
We’re the North Smithfield police aware of this activity? Was this the same Matthew Jones who played football for North Smithfield high school?