Matthew Guglielmetti

PROVIDENCE - A Rhode Island man participated in a drug ring that provided security for two large shipments of cocaine that were to be distributed in the Northeast, the authorities allege.

Robert A. Nardolillo, 47, of 28 Delmar Rd., Providence, has been charged with conspiracy to traffic 28 kilograms, or 61.6 pounds, of cocaine on April 30 and Aug. 22, 2001, and several other felonies.

Charged with the same crimes are codefendants Clifford T. Falla, 47, of Wolfeboro, N.H., and Anthony Gobbi, 35, of Boston. The ring was investigated by the FBI, the Rhode Island State Police, the Providence police, the Boston police and the Wolfeboro police.

The arrests mark the second time in recent months that the FBI has snared three men in undercover investigations on charges that they protected shipments of cocaine. The same FBI agent, Joseph R. Degnan, oversaw both investigations from the Providence FBI bureau.

In January, Matthew L. Guglielmetti Jr., a high-ranking member of the Patriarca crime family, and two other men were charged with watching over a 67-kilogram load of cocaine that was passing through Rhode Island. Guglielmetti and his codefendants have signed agreements to plead guilty to drug charges stemming from that case.

According to an FBI affidavit supporting the latest criminal complaints, Nardolillo met with an undercover FBI agent on Jan. 22, 2001. The agent posed as a "wealthy Boston area businessman who was looking for business opportunities in the Rhode Island market." He also allegedly told Nardolillo that he had an associate who was a large-scale cocaine dealer.

In the spring and summer of 2001, Nardolillo allegedly agreed to accept $8,500 from the undercover agent for providing security for the shipments of cocaine.

Nardolillo asked the undercover agent for guidance on the use of force.

" 'Cause he'll kill them right there, he don't care," Nardolillo said, according to the affidavit.

On April 30, the complaint says, Falla, armed with a semiautomatic pistol, stood watch over a 17-kilogram shipment of cocaine in a Providence hotel room. As he provided security, undercover agents posing as drug traffickers periodically entered the room and removed bags of cocaine. Agents allegedly saw a Cadillac circling the hotel and learned that Gobbi was driving the car and in telephone contact with Falla.

On Aug. 22, Nardolillo, Falla and Gobbi met with undercover agents at an undisclosed nightclub in Providence and arranged to provide security for an 11-kilogram shipment of cocaine later that day, the authorities allege.

Falla is accused of guarding the cocaine shipment, again armed with a gun, in a hotel room in Warwick. Falla drove to the hotel with Gobbi.

In addition to the conspiracy charges, Nardolillo, Falla and Gobbi were charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, attempting to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, and possessing a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.

U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David L. Martin set surety bail at $250,000 for Nardolillo and $300,000 for Gobbi. A member of Nardolillo's family posted the $250,000 bail, but his freedom is limited. He was ordered to remain in his home with an electronic bracelet on his ankle so the authorities can monitor his whereabouts.

Gobbi is being held at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls.

The U.S. Attorney's office argued that Nardolillo and Gobbi should be detained without bail. They have appealed Martin's decision to set bail.

Falla is in jail in New Hampshire, pending his transfer to Rhode Island for future court proceedings.