PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Providence man was sentenced to six years in federal prison on Monday for trafficking fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.
Ronny B. Nova, aka Benancio, 33, pleaded guilty in November to various drug possession and distribution charges.
The office of U.S. Attorney Aaron Weisman said the investigation into Nova began in November 2015 when he was found to have sold 2.5 grams of heroin.
Three days later, authorities searched a Cranston home which had ties to Nova and found 2,269 grams of cocaine, 1,954 grams of heroin, and 348 grams of fentanyl.
Prosecutors said Nova was also involved in the trafficking of drugs from California to Rhode Island. According to court documents, fentanyl was found inside a rental truck stopped by Missouri State Police in August 2017.
The driver, who was arrested, told police he was given instructions to drive the truck to Warwick. Instead, an undercover officer posed as the truck driver and drove a similar truck to the pickup location to meet up with Nova.
Nova was arrested on the spot and had $12,800 in cash on him, prosecutors said, adding that he planned to pay the driver $12,000 for delivering the drugs.
Nova was also sentenced to three years of supervised release following his prison term.
