A Providence man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
According to court records, Carols Molina, 35, was found in November 2022 with 1,503 fentanyl-laced pills designed to resemble prescription drugs. The pills weighed a total of 170.6 grams. Authorities also discovered a mixture of powder containing fentanyl weighing 411.75 grams during a court-authorized search of his residence.
Before the search, Molina had been under surveillance by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and members of the DEA Drug Task Force. During this period, he made several sales of counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl to another individual. After these transactions, law enforcement seized a total of 2,416 pills.
Molina is scheduled for sentencing on December 2, 2025. A federal district judge will determine his sentence after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey A. Erickson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force.
Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom stated: “PROVIDENCE – A Providence man found to be in possession of more than 1,500 fentanyl-laced pills and more than 400 grams of fentanyl powder today pleaded guilty to a charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.”
The investigation highlights ongoing efforts by federal and local authorities to address opioid trafficking in Rhode Island.
