Newport Police Arrest Alleged Cocaine Dealer with Prior Convictions

A 38-year-old Middletown man with three prior narcotics dealing convictions is facing new charges after Newport Police arrested him on Monday, capping a month-long investigation into his alleged cocaine dealing on Aquidneck Island out of his girlfriend’s car.

Police charged Kenneth S. Brasher, 38, of 6 Admiral Court, Middletown, with possession with intent to deliver cocaine after detectives used a court-authorized GPS tracking device to monitor him as he reportedly drove to West Warwick to obtain a fresh supply of the drug.

The investigation into Brasher’s activities began about a month ago after police learned that Brasher might be selling cocaine in Newport and Middletown, according to a police report.

As the investigation continued, police eventually got a warrant to track the Kia Optima registered to his girlfriend, which Brasher was reportedly using as he drove around dealing drugs, police allege.

Detectives continued to monitor Brasher’s activities and on Monday, police learned that Brasher was planning to “re-up,” or pick up more drugs.

Police observed Brasher meet with a person at the Shaw’s Plaza in Middletown and after a “quick exchange” at Ma’s Donuts, Brasher and another man, identified by police as Justin Welch, 20, of 10 Madeline Drive, Newport, drove over the Claiborne Pell Bridge and ventured into West Warwick, according to a police report.

Welch drove the car and police said upon arrival, Brasher spent about three minutes at a West Warwick address before venturing back to Newport.

Upon returning to Newport, Welch reportedly failed to come to a complete stop at the bridge ramp on Connell Highway and a marked cruiser soon pulled them over at around 1:45 p.m. at Van Zandt and Brandt Street.

Both Brasher and Welch ordered out from the car and officers eventually found the cocaine under the carpet on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Welch told police that he didn’t know anything about the drugs and simply gave Brasher a ride to West Warwick, telling police he “didn’t look around.”

Brasher initially denied any wrongdoing but when officers uncovered the drugs, he reportedly told police from his seat in the back of a police cruiser that that he had put the cocaine in the car.

Police said they also obtained evidence from a cell phone.

Welch was charged with controlled substance conspiracy, police said, and both men were arraigned in Second Division District Court on Tuesday.

Brasher was ordered held without bail and court records show he is currently serving eight years of probation after a 2011 conviction of conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act.

Brasher was first convicted of manufacture/possession with intent to deliver narcotics in 2000 after pleading no contest and was sentenced to five years in prison, suspended, and five years of probation.

He was arrested two years later on an identical charge and was sentenced to five years in prison, two to serve, and three years of probation.

His most recent charge of conspiracy was related to a 2011 drug sweep by Newport Police that numerous arrests. That investigation was focused on street level drug dealing within Newport. Police said upwards of 31 individuals were suspected of dealing crack, cocaine, marijuana, LSD heroin and prescription drugs in the city.