Newport Police Capture Alleged Drug Dealer

NEWPORT, RI — The incident started out like a drug bust gone wrong. But police captured Andre Bland, 23, of East Providence, in front of the newspaper building on Admiral Kalfbus Road when his car broke down.

Police allege Bland is a runner for a drug dealer selling fentanyl, cocaine and heroin and based in Central Falls and Pawtucket; he came to the City on Monday at 8:48 p.m. to deliver 100 narcotics pills to a customer on Halsey Street. The customer was working with police who were waiting to make the arrest. One of the officers turned on the car's blue lights while Bland was parking. Bland stepped on the gas, ran his Chevy Malibu at the officers, hit one of the police cars, and sped away. But he pulled over in front of the Daily News where his car broke down. Officers swarmed the car and arrested him.

He was arraigned Tuesday in district court and is being held without bail. Bland is charged with eight felonies (three for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon/ motor vehicle assault on an officer); (four for narcotics, Schedule I/II); and (one for Leaving the Scene of an accident, personal injury). He also was charged with two misdemeanors for reckless driving (eluding police, first offense) and for resisting arrest. Police also slapped him with a traffic violation for driving after his license was denied, revoked or suspended.