Pawtucket Cocaine Dealer Heading To Federal Prison

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Pawtucket man who sold a kilogram of cocaine while under surveillance by law enforcement pleaded guilty today in federal court. Modesto Mercado, 37, admitted to conspiracy and to distributing 500 grams or more of cocaine.

According to charging information, Mercado on February 12, 2020, spoke with a client via FaceTime and later in person at a Providence restaurant. Mercado arranged to sell that person a kilo of cocaine for $30,000.

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During a second meeting, Mercado told the buyer that the price was actually $31,500, with the additional cash going to Mercado and another person who helped arrange the deal. Mercado told the buyer he could supply as many kilos of coke as he wanted.

Prosecutors say later that evening Mercado met with the buyer and another person. The buyer claimed he could not pay more than the original agreed-upon price of $30,000 for a single kilogram. At that point, Mercado said he would remove and keep 150 grams of pure cocaine and replace it with coke mixed with cutting agents.

Mercado appeared in a Providence courtroom today before U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy. He is due back on July 26 for sentencing. He faces statutory penalties of between 5 and 40 years in federal prison followed by 4 years to a lifetime of federal supervised release.

The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald F. Gendron.