Cocaine Dealer Chats Freely with Police about Selling in Newport

NEWPORT, RI—An investigation into a Newport man's cocaine use culminated in his arrest on Friday—along with his alleged drug dealer.

According to a police report, Newport detectives had been monitoring Edward M. Baccari, 32, of 8 Pennacook St. ,Newport, for some time in connection with alleged cocaine use in city limits.

On Friday at around 7:43 p.m., police saw Baccari park in the area of Cottage Street, get out of his car, and climb into the passenger seat of a different vehicle. He reportedly got out a few minutes later and placed an item in his mouth, behavior that is "consistent with drug trafficking," police said.

Baccari was stopped a short time later and arrested without incident.

The driver of the other car, identified by police as Sidney Goodson, 45, of 20 Chapel St., Newport, was stopped as well and found to be carrying a bag of cocaine in his underwear after a search. Police said they found another bag of cocaine after a strip search at police headquarters.

Police said that Goodson claimed to have bought some marijuana from Baccari, according to the report, and said that he was planning on moving out of state. Police told him they were aware that he is considered a known cocaine dealer and has been under investigation for more than a year, including his alleged dealing in Fall River, MA.

"Goodson spoke openly about selling cocaine in the Newport area and stated that he was about to quit and move out of state," the report stated.

Police charged Goodson with felony possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and controlled substance conspiracy. He was ordered held without bail after his initial arraignment and will return to court on June 23.

Baccari was arraigned on felony charges of possession of cocaine and controlled substance conspiracy and was released on $5,000 personal recognizance until a June 23 Attorney General screening conference in Second Division District Court.