Two arrested after drug and firearm seizure near Newport school

Newport police executed a search warrant at a Belknap Avenue apartment on Jan. 13, 2026, arresting two people and seizing suspected crack cocaine, fentanyl, a firearm and a substantial amount of cash. The action capped a month-long investigation into suspected crack cocaine trafficking that investigators say posed an elevated risk to the surrounding community.

Authorities arrested 45-year-old Rafael Aviles of Northampton, Massachusetts, and 50-year-old Patricia White of Newport at 40 Belknap Avenue. Officers recovered approximately 55 grams of suspected crack cocaine and about 3 grams of suspected fentanyl, along with a firearm and a significant quantity of U.S. currency. The search warrant was executed without incident.

Aviles faces multiple charges, including 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 was charged with possession of controlled drugs and maintaining a common nuisance and was released on personal recognizance.

The Newport Police Department led the investigation after receiving reports and collecting intelligence over the previous month. Investigators secured the warrant based on witness interviews, covert surveillance and analysis of digital evidence. Because officers assessed 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.

Officers coordinated with the local school administrative unit and Richards Free Library to safeguard students, staff and library patrons in the area while the warrant was carried out. The proximity of the arrest location to those community institutions is a central concern for residents and school officials as the legal process moves forward.

The operation was funded by a Northern Shield grant administered by the New Hampshire Department of Safety, a program that reimburses local and county agencies for overtime tied to drug trafficking investigations in Coos, Grafton, Belknap and Sullivan counties. That funding allowed Newport and partner agencies to sustain the investigation and deploy specialized personnel for the high-risk entry.

For Newport and Sullivan County residents, the arrests highlight the local impact of regional drug trafficking and the role of multi-agency coordination in protecting schools and public spaces. The criminal case will proceed through the Sullivan County courts, and investigators indicated they will continue to follow leads developed during the probe. Community members should expect ongoing law enforcement activity tied to this and related investigations as authorities work to disrupt drug distribution in the area.