Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By Michael P. McKinney
Journal staff writer

PROVIDENCE -- A Newport man pleaded guilty today in federal court to cocaine trafficking charges. Authorities said they seized about two pounds of cocaine from him and Newport and Middletown residences "linked to him."

Eric Smyth, 31, entered the plea before Judge William E. Smith in U.S. District Court, Providence, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente's office.

Prosecutor Sandra R. Hebert said at the plea hearing that the government could show agents gathered information last fall that Smyth was selling cocaine by the ounce. They arranged two cocaine sales and conducted surveillance of Smyth's travels around Aquidneck Island, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Agents approached Smyth as he came out of a Manning Terrace residence in Newport. He ran, but was arrested in a wooden shed nearby.

Newport police seized a bag of cocaine that Smyth threw while running, according to the news release. In the basement, agents seized four plastic bags holding various amounts of cocaine from beneath a floor joist. Agents also seized a digital scale.

At a Fenner Avenue residence in Middletown, detectives said they seized cocaine, $4,278 and another digital scale.

The seized cocaine totaled 910 grams.

Smyth is being detained pending a scheduled June 19 sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force investigated with help from Middletown and Newport police.

 Tags  drugs Newport Providence

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