Repeat offender charged with drug trafficking in Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — The Middletown Police Department announced they arrested a man who they said was selling cocaine on Aquidneck Island.

According to police, they searched the Reardon Drive home of 29-year-old Justin Welch after a months-long investigation conducted by Middletown, Newport and Portsmouth Police Departments.

Officials said as a result of the search they found 29.3 grams of suspected cocaine, $4,661 in cash and packaging materials.

Welch was arraigned in Second Division District Court on September 9, on charges of possession with intent to deliver one ounce to one kilogram of cocaine and distribution of controlled substances near schools.

He was held without bail as a probation violator on several previous Superior Court cases.