The drugs had a street value of about $2,000,000, according to authorities. var sellablestring2 = "STAFF PHOTO"; Over a dozen people have been arrested and guns and drugs were seized following two multi-agency investigations in Springfield. To the drug traffickers, we say: you will be prosecuted and you will be brought to justice., Todays arrests targeted many of the key leaders, members, and associates of the Gangster Disciples in the Merrimack Valley who we believe have flooded our neighborhoods with their destructive poison and fueled the violence on city streets under the guise of defending their so-called turf, said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. As a result of the investigation, more than 4 kilograms of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, six illegal firearms including three that are considered untraceable ghost guns , more than $200,000 in cash, jewelry, three cars, six motorcycles, and four all-terrain vehicles were seized. An additional gallon-sized bag of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl was also seized. The investigation involved purchases of large quantities of heroin bundled into half packs a common form of packaging in western Massachusetts each consisting of 50 dosage units, or one gram, of the drug. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. During the searches, police also recovered approximately 400 grams of heroin/fentanyl, eleven firearms (seven pistols, two rifles, one AR15 rifle and a sawed-off shotgun), two ballistic vests , $11,200, and numerous rounds of various ammunition. Acting U.S. Attorney Mendell, FBI SAC Bonavolonta and Colonel Christopher S. Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Drug bust leads to 4 arrests on multiple charges by: Richard Roman. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. //var LBtag_id = document.getElementById('buylinkLBDrugbust-hg-121120,ph1'); Thank you for your website feedback! Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. CONCORD, NH - For now, the deadly drug pipeline between Manchester and Lawrence, Mass., has been cut off.. April saw the culmination of a year-long drug investigation by multiple agencies, bringing in a huge haul for law enforcement officials - 45 people arrested in two sweeps netting 30 kilograms (more than 60 pounds) of fentanyl, plus two guns and $500,000 in cash. BOSTONTwoSpringfield men were convicted yesterday by a federal jury in Worcester for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking organizationsupplied by sources in Mexico andspanning at least fourstates. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Eight Individuals Indicted in Connection With Major Drug Trafficking Operation in Western Massachusetts, is, for Eight Individuals Indicted in Connection With Major Drug Trafficking Operation in Western Massachusetts. Sunbeam Television Corp The following day, search warrants were executed in Springfield and Belchertown resulting in the arrests of John Feliciano, 45, of Springfield and Jose Antonio Diaz, 46, of Belchertown. His arrest came after a lengthy investigation into alleged drug trafficking at his home in Springfield, Massachusetts. Feds: Coast Guard Makes $20 Million Cocaine Bust Off Cape Cod. Today's takedown marks the latest major drug bust in the OAG's Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (SURGE) Initiative, a law enforcement effort that brings together state and local law enforcement to target New York's growing and often violent heroin, opioid, and narcotics trafficking networks. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Special assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administrations Carlsbad (Calif.) Resident Office and the Westfield Police Department. (WMBB) Eight suspects in connection to Wednesday's prostitution bust had their first court appearance on Thursday. SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) Over a dozen people have been arrested and guns and drugs were seized following two multi-agency investigations in Springfield. 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 According to Springfield Police Spokesperson Ryan Walsh, officers from the narcotics units were investigating a heroin distribution when they saw 56-year-old Jeffrey Cipriani leave the suspected home and drive away. Attorney General Maura Healey is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All were arraigned Tuesday in Springfield and Holyoke District Court. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. BOSTON A New York man was arrested yesterday in connection with allegedly trafficking drugs and firearms. Williams was arraigned on Dec. 23 in Springfield District Court and held on $75,000 cash bail. Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood said in a statement: Id like to thank our local, state and regional partners along with our Firearms Investigation Unit for this successful joint operation. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. These charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The High Street area has been problematic for drug dealing and recently some violent robberies, which these officers saw first-hand on Tuesday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Attorneys Catherine G. Curley, Steven H. Breslow and Neil L. Desroches of Mendells Springfield Office are prosecuting the case. Updated: May 28, 2022 / 04:39 PM EDT. Kobe), 23, of Holyoke, Trafficking 200 grams or more of Heroin (two counts), Trafficking 200 grams or more of Heroin (one count), Trafficking 36-100 grams of Heroin (one count), Trafficking 18-36 grams of Cocaine (one count), Receiving a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number (one count), Anthony Perez, (a.k.a. Morales was then arrested on drug and gun charges and his wife received a criminal complaint. In connection with this investigation, the following defendants were indicted by a Statewide Grand Jury this week and will be arraigned in Hampden and Franklin Superior Courts at a later date on the following charges. 7 Bulfinch Place A locked padlock ENRIQUE ALICEA, 29, of West Springfield, charged with trafficking in heroin over 200 grams and conspiracy to violate drug laws; JOSHUA VAZQUEZ, 29, of Springfield, charged with trafficking in heroin over 200 grams and conspiracy to violate drug laws; JOSE ALICEA, 69, of West Springfield, charged with trafficking in heroin over 200 grams and conspiracy to violate drug laws; and. - Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson announces that on Friday, January 20, 2023, Greene County Circuit Judge Jerry Harmison announced his verdict finding the defendant, Shane Mackey, guilty of the murder of his girlfriend. 14, 2022 at 10:45 AM PDT | Updated: Jul. Police said that a loaded gun and a Massachusetts ID card with Morales name on it was found in the fanny pack. Washington, D.C. Man Convicted After Nine-Day Trial for Use of a Firearm in Connection with a Murder and a Robbery, and for a Drug Distribution Conspiracy. 15 people arrested, guns and drugs seized in Springfield. Utility pole fire on Wilbraham Road in Springfield, Snowfall totals reported across western Massachusetts, Glendale Street in Easthampton closed on Saturday, PHOTOS: Heavy snow across western Massachusetts, TRAFFIC: Mountain Road in Easthampton closed on Saturday, Download the 22News Storm Team Weather App, Skier Shiffrin locks up overall title, still chases, Olympic ticket sales for Paris Games gets off to, 7 Cubs pitchers combine for no-hitter vs Machado,, Springfield T-Birds hold fundraiser for National, Mikal Bridges helps Nets rally to stun Celtics, 115-105, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard, Helix Human Services hosts 3rd Annual Art Show &, How the WMAS Radiothon helps to support Baystate, Former Majestic Theater actor makes return to Western, Arts & Crafts: Creating realistic faux stained glass, Add a hint of Spring to your yoga routine, Suspect in MLK Jr Church arson charged with hate crime, Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, 30 homeless families moving to Springfield hotel, LIST: Businesses, schools closed on Saturday due, What are the weather conditions like in Hampshire, Tips on protecting your heart health while shoveling. Edwin J. Rivera-Cruz, 22, of Springfield, MA- Trafficking Heroin . 7. ARIZONA POLICE MAKE 'LARGEST DRUG BUST' IN DEPARTMENT'S HISTORY, SEIZE MORE THAN 700K FENTANYL PILLS. MA 02210, Email USAO-MA. The sports cars were seized by the Northwestern District Attorney's Office in 2020 following the arrest of Cory . Fox News' Bryan Llenas provides details on the DEA's record fentanyl seizures as the drug has become the leading cause of death for young Americans. Deputies identify 1 of 4 arrested in major Springfield bust Ahmad Ali, 37 (Contributed Photo/Clark County Sheriff's Office) By Jenna Lawson May 28, 2020 at 12:32 pm EDT Boston Office: . Detectives obtained a warrant to search that home on Dec. 21, 2022, then pulled Williams over while he was driving the next day and seized about 136 grams of cocaine from his vehicle. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nations illegal drug supply. Subscribe Today, Amherst Police Chief Livingstone stepping down in May, Unions: UMass putting 100 jobs in jeopardy with privatization plan, Murdaughs fall from grace ends in life sentence for murder, Biden leaving room to change his mind on reelection. The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Over a dozen people have been arrested and guns and drugs were . It is also alleged that Justin Suriel and Steven Rios conspired to kidnap, hold captive and traumatize a victim in retaliation for the suspected theft of Rios dog. Isaac Cardona was also convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering. A scandal erupts, raising questions for the thousands of defendants in her cases. There has been a sting of drug busts in Western Mass of late, mostly in the Springfield area. Our North Shore Gang Task Force has seized their profits and shut down their distribution networks, and we will not hesitate to use every tool we have to stop others like them from threatening the safety our communities.. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ( 01.24.2023) Man Convicted in Beating Death of Girlfriend SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Springfield:413-785-0235 Modified: 12/10/2020 1:52:54 PM. Worcester:508-368-0100. Both men were arrested and charged with trafficking in heroin/fentanyl over 200 grams. When they got near the intersection of High Street and Myrtle Street, 25-year-old Luis Morales allegedly tried to trip the officer and then reached into his fanny pack. Two arrested in Springfield drug bust During the search, officials say investigators discovered a .40 caliber pistol, 140 grams of Marijuana, more than 200 Oxycodone tablets, and more than $12,000 . In February 2020, the west unit of the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction and Enforcement Team (MSP CINRET) began an . The Cardonas were indicted in November 2017 as part of a14-month wiretap investigationinto a large-scale drug trafficking organization supplied by sources in Mexico and spanning at least four states. BOSTON A Boston man responsible for a leading large drug trafficking organization (DTO) pleaded guilty today to heroin and fentanyl conspiracy charges and possessing a firearm in furtherance of BOSTON A Fitchburg man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to his role in a wide-ranging fentanyl, heroin, crack and cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Springfield Police Narcotics Captain Brian Keenan said officers began a search warrant around 10:30 a.m. Friday morning on Quincy Street and six individuals have been arrested during the . Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni laid out the trove of illicit drugs and hundred-dollar bills emblazoned with Motion Picture Purposes across the top of otherwise legitimate-looking notes. Springfield police said they seized nearly 200 pounds of marijuana from a party on the third floor of a strip club. Damning evidence reveals drug lab chemist Sonja Farak's addictions. Perez was also charged as a Level 1 Armed Career Criminal. Troopers also . Detectives also seized $190,000 in counterfeit cash. Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said the bust was connected with authorities investigation into the Knox Street Posse and Sycamore Street gangs. Release year: 2020. ), WHDH TV 7NEWS WLVI TV CW56 During the course of the investigation MSP CINRET Troopers identified the source as ENRIQUE ALICEA, 29, of West Springfield. Paul Best is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Suggestions are presented as an open option list only when they are available. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Walsh said that there is an arrest warrant out for one of those suspects and theres an ongoing investigation related to the other suspect. Authorities arrested five men during the past week, including a Belchertown resident, and seized more than two kilograms of fentanyl as part of a lengthy investigation into a drug-trafficking organization, according to the Massachusetts State Police. They seized a Taurus 9mm pistol, approximately 500 grams of heroin, and approximately $20,000 in US currency. var currentheadline = document.getElementById("headline").innerText; Legal Statement. Updated: Feb. 27, 2023 at 3:23 PM PST. (Hampden County District Attorney's Office). This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Police say in an investigation launched by the Vermont Drug Task Force in the summer of 2020, Lawrence Jackson, 50, of Rutland, was identified as a significant source of cocaine in Rutland. Authorities executed search warrants at nine locations in Holyoke and Springfield in October and November 2020 that resulted in the seizure of drugs, guns, cash, jewelry, high-end cars, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles. |. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. The three busts and several others carried along the eastern seaboard on . All rights reserved. The drugs had a street value of about $2,000,000, according to authorities. Boston, MA 02210, Boston:617-748-3100 Lock Investigators executed search warrants at four residences and on three motor vehicles. According to the charging documents, the defendants actively distributed fentanyl, cocaine and suboxone with drug trafficking activities extending from Massachusetts into Maine and southern New Hampshire as well as into the Essex County Jail. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WHDH-TV. Read More . Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com. Local 55 IbewIBEW Local 55 is a Labor union located in 1435 NE 54th Ave A, Des Moines, Iowa, US. Francisco Anaya, 50, was arrested Tuesday on Littleton Street on a warrant for firearms and drug trafficking charges. WHDH TV 7NEWS WLVI TV CW56 Sunbeam Television Corp 7 Bulfinch Place Boston, MA 02114 News Tips: (800) 280-TIPS Tell Hank: (855) 247-HANK Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Updated: Apr 15, 2021 / 07:37 PM EDT. The MSP unit joined with the Hampden County Narcotic Task Force and the FBI Gang Task Force to continue the investigation. 14, 2022 at 1:36 PM PDT. Bobby Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia . The charge of kidnapping conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to a lifetime in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. October 19, 2022. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. When is the snow going to end on Saturday? News Tips: (800) 280-TIPS or redistributed. About $190,000 in counterfeit cash was also seized from the home. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Have a question about Government Services? Officers followed Cipriani, who was traveling to 39-year-old Efrain Morales Jr.s home in Feeding Hills. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. The defendants will be prosecuted by the office of Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. tlr-8 gun light with red laser and side switch. They then recovered approximately 34 grams of cocaine. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). Stevens 320 Best Budget Shotgun! The next day, police pulled Williams over for a traffic stop. "How to Fix a Drug Scandal" revisits the double whammy Massachusetts' criminal courts faced when its two most prominent drug-testing labs were shut down and . Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. By Paris Dunford, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: John O'Donoghue. Dubbed "Operation Deadlier Catch", the law enforcement effort to stop the operation honed in on a violent Savannah-area network. tag_id.innerHTML = ''; Boston, MA 02114 Eight individuals have been indicted in connection with a joint state and federal wiretap investigation into a major heroin trafficking operation in Western Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. Investigators were also able to identify methods by which the drugs were transported between New York state and Springfield. var photocredit = photocredit.toUpperCase(); Springfield District Court warrant for possession of a firearm without a FID Card, possession of a large capacity feeding device, possession of ammunition without a FID Card, and trafficking in heroin/morphine/opium/fentanyl, Berkshire County Superior Court warrant for carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and possession of ammunition without a FID card, Carrying a loaded firearm without a license, Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Possession with the intent to distribute a Class A drug, Furnishing a false name to a police officer, Holyoke District Court warrant for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, Arrest warrant for carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm without a FID card, possession of a firearm without a FID card, improper storage of a firearm, resisting arrest, marked lanes violation, state highway traffic violation, improper operation of a motor vehicle, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, Possession with the intent to distribute a Class B drug (subsequent offense), Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, Possession with the intent to distribute a Class B drug, Leaving the scene of a property damage accident, Carrying a loaded large capacity firearm without a license on a public way, Possession of a large capacity firearm during the commission of a felony, Possession of ammunition without a FID card, Possession of a defaced firearm during the commission of a felony, Possession with the intent to distribute a Class D drug, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, Winter weather blankets western Mass.