SULLIVAN COUNTY, NH — Police arrested two people and seized crack cocaine, fentanyl, a firearm and cash after executing a search warrant at a Belknap Avenue apartment on Jan. 13, 2026.
Rafael Aviles, 45, of Northampton, Massachusetts, and Patricia White, 50, of Newport, were taken into custody at 40 Belknap Avenue following a month-long investigation into suspected crack cocaine trafficking.
Police seized approximately 55 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 3 grams of suspected fentanyl, a firearm and a substantial quantity of U.S. currency.
Aviles is charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell in a school zone, possession of fentanyl with intent to sell in a school zone, conspiracy to commit sales of controlled drugs and armed career criminal.
He was ordered held on preventative detention without bail.
White is charged with possession of controlled drugs and maintaining a common nuisance.
She was released on personal recognizance.
The Newport Police Department received reports and gathered intelligence related to the suspected drug trafficking over the past month.
Investigators obtained the search warrant based on witness interviews, covert surveillance and analysis of digital evidence.
Due to an elevated level of risk, Newport Police requested assistance from the Claremont Police Department Special Response Team, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and New Hampshire Probation and Parole.
Investigators coordinated with the local school administrative unit and Richards Free Library to ensure the safety of students, staff and library patrons in the vicinity.
The search warrant was executed without incident.
The multi-agency investigation was funded by a Northern Shield grant administered by the New Hampshire Department of Safety, which reimburses local and county agencies for overtime expenses related to drug trafficking investigations in Coos, Grafton, Belknap and Sullivan counties.
