Newport Police Arrest Gang Members with Heroin and Loaded Guns in Hidden Compartment

Newport police made yet another major drug dealing arrest Wednesday when three members of Providence’s C-Block street gang were stopped after crossing the Claiborne Pell Bridge with 28 grams of heroin, three loaded handguns and two digital scales in a hidden compartment in the trunk.

The department has been focusing intensely on heroin and cocaine dealing in the city and across Aquidneck Island and this most recent bust is the culmination of a month long investigation with the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force.

Using undercover agents and cooperating sources, detectives identified Jose A. Campos, 20, of 52 Lowell Ave., Providence, as a drug dealer operating out of his 1998 Honda Civic.

Police were able to make a controlled buy of heroin from Campos, which was to be delivered to Newport.

Campos reportedly was spotted driving over the bridge with two passengers at around 12:30 p.m. and police stopped him after a patrol officer noticed a seatbelt violation.

Campos and his passengers, identified by police as Jose Nunez, 26, of 95 Congress Ave., Providence; and Joshua Wilcox, 28, of 264 O’Connor St., Providence, were removed from the car and police found a trap, or hidden compartment, in the trunk.

Inside the trap were three guns: a Glock .40 caliber, a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver and a Cal-Tech PMR-30 .22 caliber semiautomatic. All three guns were loaded.

Officers checked with Providence police and the Safe Street Task Force and it was learned that all three are members of the C-Block gang, a known street gang in the city of Providence.

All three wee charged with possession of heroin with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm while committing a crime of violence and controlled substance conspiracy.

Lt. Michael Naylor, Dets. Ryan Doyle and Seth Godeck led the investigation.

Campos was ordered held without bail after his initial appearance in District Court.

Nunez and Wilcox were each released on $10,000 bail with surety but were subsequently held as Superior Court probation violators for unrelated charges.

See also:

Newport Police Bust Broadway Heroin Dealers

Newport Police Arrest Pair of Drug Dealers

Newport Police Arrest Alleged Cocaine Dealer with Prior Convictions

Another Alleged Cocaine Dealer Arrested by Newport Police after Lengthy Investigation