An Arizona man is facing federal charges after authorities say he shipped more than four kilograms of meth to Rhode Island and bought gambling tickets with the money.
Carl Sharp, 49, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. He was arrested by Providence police on July 6.
Court documents say the investigation began after the United States Postal Service identified at least 16 parcels mailed from Arizona, California and Nevada to Rhode Island.
Four of the packages were seized and searched, leading to the discovery of 4.44 kilograms of meth, 249 grams of cocaine and $3,000 in cash.
A financial investigation of Sharp was also conducted, which found that between January 2022 and May 2024, he deposited more than $320,000 into his personal bank account.
Prosecutors say most of the cash deposits were made at ATMs in Arizona and Rhode Island, but some were also made at ATMs in California, Nevada and Massachusetts.
Sharp is also accused of withdrawing more than $225,000 in cash from casinos during the three-year period in question.
The United States Attorney’s Office says casinos are often used to launder money by converting illicit funds into chips and then cashing them out after gambling.
The case remains under investigation.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
