Two East Providence Residents Arrested in Statewide Cocaine Trafficking Raid

Rhode Island State Police announced this afternoon that a special task force has arrested two East Providence residents following a six-month investigation into a large-scale cocaine trafficking organization.

Fifteen Rhode Islanders were arrested in total by the Rhode Island State Police/ High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.

The Task Force reportedly began its investigation into a large-scale cocaine trafficking organization in December 2010. During this six month investigation, the HIDTA Task Force identified the leader of the organization as well as his customer base.

According to a press release issued this afternoon, HIDTA developed information that a subject identified only by the street name “Junior” was distributing cocaine in the City of Providence using two vehicles containing elaborate, electronically operated, hidden compartments. The subject was later fully identified as Franklin Then-Bello, 36, of 116 Lenox Avenue Providence. Bello maintained two separate addresses in the city and would routinely stay overnight at several additional locations.  

On Thursday, April 28, the Honorable Alice Gibney, Presiding Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court, signed a Court Order authorizing the law enforcement agencies involved in the task force to intercept communications over a cell phone number utilized by “Junior”, to operate and conduct criminal operations.

Members of the task force maintained continued electronic audio intercept surveillance of the cell phone account from Friday April 29 to Wednesday, May 18. Over the course of this investigation, the task force positively identified numerous individuals as customers in Then-Bello’s illegal cocaine distribution operation.   

Throughout the course of this investigation, members of the intercept team have established through numerous intercepted telephone conversations and surveillances that Then-Bello is conducting an illegal drug trafficking operation. Members also have conducted physical surveillance on Then-Bello and have observed him meeting with known and unknown individuals for the purpose of distributing cocaine for profit. 

During this investigation, the HIDTA Task Force intercepted over 1,1100 telephone calls. On May 18, Task Force members arrested Then-Bello and charged him with Possession of Cocaine 1 Ounce to 1 Kilo and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Deliver. At the time of the arrest, search warrants were executed on both of Then-Bello’s vehicles as well as at 116 Lenox Avenue, 101 Miner Street and 64 Calla Street, all in Providence. As a result, a total of approximately 800 grams of cocaine, drug packaging paraphernalia and two motor vehicles with hidden compartments were seized. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detainer was also placed on Then-Bello for illegal reentry after deportation.

On May 20, HIDTA Task Force members arrested Then-Bello’s accomplice, Kevin A. Bissel, 53, of 158 Main Street Pennyan, NY, and charged him with Possession of Cocaine 1 Ounce to 1 Kilo and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Deliver. At the time of his arrest Bissel was found to be in possession of approximately 150 grams of cocaine as well as drug packaging paraphernalia.

Today, on June 3, the task force executed numerous arrest warrants throughout the state, resulting in the arrests of 13 other individuals, including those East Providence residents.

• Edward P. Medeiros, age 45, of 14 Cushman Avenue East Providence, on two counts of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws.
• Marc LaForge, age 49, of 6 Appian Way East Providence, on two counts of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws.
• Daniel S. Benevides, age 37, of 459 Child Street Warren, on two counts of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws.
• Joao Pimental, age 54, of 325 Child Street Warren, on two counts of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws.
• Stephen J. Restivo, age 62, of 20 Croade Street Warren, RI on two counts of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws.
• Patricia A. Guido, age 53, of 118 Water Street Warren,  on two counts of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws.
• Norman M. Barnkowski age 47, of 13 Parker Avenue Warren, on two counts of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws.
• William G. Destefano, age 42, of 1 Hezekiah Drive Warren, on one count of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws.
• Robert P. Dellaire, age 46, of 833 Main Street Warren, on one count of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws.
• Ron J. Charves, age 34, of 24 Beach Street Warren, on one count of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws.
• Scott Circosta, age 49, of 11 Lucas Avenue Newport, on one count of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws.
• James L. Brown, age 61, of 231 Rhodes Street Providence, on two counts of soliciting another to commit a crime, in violation of 11-1-9 of the RI General Laws
• Richard M. Reyes, age 22, of 128 Canterbury Street, Apt #1F, Worcester, MA, on one count of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver.

This operation was conducted with the assistance of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office. The HIDTA Task Force is comprised of members from the Rhode Island State Police, Providence Police, North Providence Police, Pawtucket Police, Johnston Police, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Rhode Island National Guard.  Members of the Massachusetts’s State Police also assisted in this investigation.