Two Connecticut Men Arrested for Possession
of 4.5 ounces of Fentanyl
Scituate, R.I. – The Rhode Island State Police today announced that Troopers arrested two Connecticut men, Kevin Figueroa, age 28 of 44 Hunting Hill Avenue in Middletown and Giovanni Beniquez, age 25 of 12 Beachview Lane in New Haven, this morning on several narcotics charges following a motor vehicle stop on Route 95 in West Greenwich.
“As Rhode Island continues to battle the opioid overdose epidemic, arrests like these truly save lives. I am very proud of our Troopers and grateful for their vigilance,” said Colonel James M. Manni, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety. "Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are responsible for nearly 80% of fatal overdoses in Rhode Island and keeping this large volume of fentanyl off our streets is a great outcome for all of us.”
At approximately 12:57 am today, Troopers from the Rhode Island State Police Hope Valley Barracks stopped a white Mercedes on Route 95 North in the town of West Greenwich for speeding. Troopers identified the operator of the vehicle as Kevin Figueroa and determined that his Connecticut license was suspended and that the vehicle’s temporary New Jersey registration was fraudulent. A passenger in the vehicle was identified as Giovanni Beniquez. A further investigation resulted in the seizure of 4.5 ounces of suspected fentanyl.
Mr. Figueroa was arrested for the following offenses:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver – Fentanyl
- Possession of Fentanyl One Ounce to 1 Kilogram
- Conspiracy
- Forgery Counterfeiting of Registration Plates
- Operating with a Suspended License
Mr. Beniquez was arrested for the following offenses:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver – Fentanyl
- Possession of Fentanyl One Ounce to 1 Kilogram
- Conspiracy
Both men were arraigned today in Kent County District Court and are being held for future court hearings.
