Eight arraigned in Operation Deception

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Three Providence police officers and five others faced a judge Wednesday morning for their alleged roles in the Operation Deception drug ring.

Detective Joseph Colanduono, Sgt. Stephen Gonsalves and school resource officer Robert Hamlin were arraigned Wednesday morning, along with alleged drug supplier Khalid Mason.

A judge ordered Hamlin and Colanduono to be held without bail. Gonsalves was released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

Absent from Wednesday's arraignments was alleged ringleader Albert Hamlin, brother of Robert Hamlin. His wiretapped cell-phone calls helped lead Rhode Island State Police detectives to the suspects.

The eight people arraigned on Wednesday are among 24 defendants named in an 89-count indictment handed up three weeks ago. At that time, 12 suspects entered not-guilty pleas and were released on personal recognizance.

Included in the larger group are Colanduono's former partner Detective Robert Enright and corrections officer Mark Messier.

Most of the suspects are due back in court next week.