Rhode Island State Police Arrest Two New York Men for Possession of 2,295 Oxycodone Pills After a Motor Vehicle Stop on Route 95 in the Town of West Greenwich

By Carmen Russo
RI – Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of Public Safety, announces the arrest of two New York men after troopers seized 2,295 oxycodone pills during a motor vehicle stop.

The operator, identified as Zoilo A Pena Paulino, age 68, of 845 Gerard Avenue, (Apt. 2A) Bronx, New York was taken into custody and transported to the Hope Valley Barracks where he was processed, held overnight and arraigned at Third Division District Court on the following charges:

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)
• Controlled Substance Conspiracy
• Third District Court Warrant- Failure to Appear for Sentence Review on a Suspended License charge
• Fourth District Court Warrant- Failure to Appear for Ability to Pay on a Suspended License charge.

The passenger, identified as Pedro Evangelista, age 30, of 546 Isham Street, Apt. B, New York, New York was taken into custody and transported to the Hope Valley Barracks where he was processed, held overnight and arraigned at Third Division District Court on the following charges:

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)
• Controlled Substance Conspiracy

On Thursday, July 21, 2016, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Troopers from the Hope Valley Barracks stopped a white minivan on Route 95 North in the Town of West Greenwich for a Turn Signal violation. In speaking with the two New York City occupants, the Troopers observed nervous behavior as they provided conflicting travel plans for their trip to Rhode Island. The Troopers also notice that the undercarriage of the minivan appeared to have aftermarket alterations consistent with those involved in trafficking contraband. A search of the vehicle revealed a trap beneath the front passenger’s seat were 2,295 Oxycodone pills were located.

The penalty for a person convicted of Possession of Schedule II Narcotics with Intent to Deliver is a prison term up to life or a fine not more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) or less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or both.
Mr. Pena Paulino was also issued civil citations for; 1) Turn Signal Required; 2) Use of Multiple Headlamps; and 3) Seat Belt violations.