Woonsocket Drug Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison

WOONSOCKET, RI—A Woonsocket man caught with three kilos of cocaine and a loaded gun hidden inside a sophisticated, hydraulically-operated hidden compartment in his car by police last April has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Miguel Colon, 55, of Woonsocket, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, who also ordered Colon to serve five years of supervised release when his prison term ends.

Colon pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges in October.

At the time of his arrest, authorities seized three kilos of cocaine, the load gun and 900 grams of heroin hidden inside a self-storage unit he had been renting, according to U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha.

Both Woonsocket and Providence police were conducting independent investigations into Colon's alleged drug trafficking when they both learned that Colon typically drove to Texas or Florida to pick up large hauls of cocaine and heroin that he drove back to Rhode Island.

Shortly before his arrest last April, detectives learned that Colon was on a drug run and was due to arrive on April 27.

That morning, police were posted along Interstate 95 in unmarked cars waiting for Colon, who was eventually followed by police to a motel in North Attleboro, MA.

Along with the gun and drugs in the car, police found the storage locker key, which led them to the heroin and tools and equipment used to package and distribute drugs, according to court records.

At his house, police found ledgers with entries of amounts listed next to names, including the names of known drug dealers in Woonsocket.

Police also seized live ammunition, marijuana plants and a state-issued marijuana caregiver card from the house.

Colon has been held in federal custody since his arrest.