Mayor & Chief react to Op. Dec. arrests

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Twenty-four people are indicted in connection with Operation Deception, including another Providence Police officer and a longtime Department of Corrections employee.

Investigators say Providence Police Detective Robert Enright allowed the head of the alleged drug ring, Albert Hamlin to impersonate a cop. Enright faces two counts of harboring a criminal. He is the fourth Providence Police officer charged.

• In-Depth Coverage of Operation Deception

Despite the latest developments in the drug probe, both Mayor David Cicilline and Police Col. Dean Esserman say the trust of the people of Providence should not be shaken.

"Trust your police department. That large departments like ours from time-to-time have someone in our mist that crosses the line. This is a department that knows how to be tough with its own people," said Col. Dean Esserman.

"These officers deserve to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. They have betrayed the public, betrayed the residents of the city, dishonored their profession," said Mayor David Cicilline.

Twelve of the suspects were arraigned on Wednesday for their alleged role in a Providence cocaine ring.

• Read The Grand Jury Indictment Report

According to a statement from the RI Department of Corrections (RIDOC) Mark Messier, a 29 year veteran state worker, has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an administrative hearing. Investigators said Messier is accused of buying cocaine off Hamlin.