Arraignment moved for Providence man accused of trafficking drugs

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A man accused of selling drugs while in possession of illegal guns was set to be arraigned Monday, but the hearing was moved.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office said Philip DeBartolo, 39, of Providence, will appear in Providence County Superior Court on Tuesday.

DeBartolo was arrested in March after a lengthy investigation led by police in Providence and West Warwick, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Urban Violent Crime Task Force.

Authorities suspected DeBartolo of selling marijuana from his house on Douglas Avenue in Providence and another residence in West Warwick. He was further accused of doing so while armed.

Attorney General Peter Neronha said police searched both properties and found several ghost guns, 25 large capacity magazines, almost 20 kilograms of marijuana, a stolen gun, and drug paraphernalia.

“As alleged, the defendant was operating an illegal drug dealing operation and was armed to the teeth to protect it,” Neronha said.