Months-Long Bristol Narcotics Probe Leads To 4 Arrests: Cops

BRISTOL, RI — A months-long narcotics probe led to four arrests, the Bristol police announced.

The Bristol Police Department teamed with the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team South Unit and Homeland Security Investigations in an "operation to interrupt the flow of
illegal narcotics into Bristol," the department said in a media release.

The investigation determined Christopher Desouza, 54, and Nelson Amaral, 51, both of Bristol, were "engaged in the delivery and distribution of illegal narcotics in and
around Bristol," the release said.

"Throughout the course of the investigation evidence was collected through numerous methods that revealed Desouza and Amaral would transport Cocaine and Fentanyl to Bristol ... and sell illegal narcotics to numerous customers in the town of Bristol," the release said.

"This investigation connected to a previous investigation involving Desouza and Amaral from this past spring where Desouza was arrested for selling illegal narcotics" in the areas of both Franklin and Wood streets and Franklin and Hope streets, according to the release.

Police received numerous tips and complaints "linking the illegal activities of Desouza and Amaral" to a Church Street apartment "occupied and controlled by Michael Brum, to facilitate the sale and distribution of illegal narcotics in Bristol," the release said.

In August, a 32-year-old man "suffered a suspected fatal narcotic overdose while in Brum's apartment ... with
Desouza, Archambault, and Brum present," according to the release.

The death remains under investigation, police said.

Police responded to the Church Street address more than 35 times since 2025, according to the release including for "several narcotics-related complaints."

Last month, officers "conducted a controlled motor vehicle stop as part of this investigation" while in possession of search warrants for the vehicle occupants, the release said.

Officers were aware one occupant, Zachary Archembault, 35, had a warrant out for his arrest, according to the release.

The day of the stop, Desouza and Amaral were arrested on charges of possession with intent to deliver narcotics, felony drug conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance, the release said.

Brum, 56, was arrested on a warrant charging him with maintaining a common narcotics nuisance at the Church Street apartment "for his role in facilitating the sale and distribution of Cocaine and Fentanyl from that address," according to the release.

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