The Springfield Police Department’s Narcotics Unit under the direction of Captain Brian Keenan seized more than 2 kilograms of raw heroin, more than 40,000 bags of packaged heroin, more than 490 grams of powdered cocaine, four illegal firearms and more than $48,000 in cash while breaking up a major drug trafficking operation in western Massachusetts.
Narcotics Detectives have been investigating 1251 Bay Street for the past two months as a “Stash House” for a heroin distribution operation based out of Holyoke. A “Stash House” is a location where large amounts of narcotics and money are kept and higher level drug dealers will go to pick up large quantities of drugs for distribution throughout the area.
This investigation was led by the Springfield Police Department’s Narcotics Unit based on information provided by Detective Robert Patruno, but throughout the course of the investigation the Narcotics Unit was assisted by the Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni’s Hampden County Narcotics Task Force, the Holyoke Police Department and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
Springfield Police Narcotics Detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for 1251 Bay Street. On Tuesday afternoon, Detectives observed a female, later identified as Nellys Garcia, entering the home and she left the house a short time later. Detectives conducted a traffic stop on Industry Ave. and 15 packs (1500 bags of heroin) were recovered in her car. Ms. Garcia was placed under arrest.
Detectives then executed the search warrant at the home on Bay Street and located three men inside, later identified as Luis Acevedo, Hector Rodriguez & Emmanuel Hernandez. Inside the home, Detectives seized approximately 2179 grams of raw heroin, approximately 40,070 of bagged heroin, approximately 490 grams of cocaine, $48,754 in cash and four illegal firearms.
Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri said, “This was the result of experienced Narcotics Detectives under the command of Captain Keenan who work tirelessly to combat this heroin crisis. This significant seizure not only puts a stop to this distribution ring, but also shows that our Narcotics Unit continues to get deadly drugs off the street, while arresting the right people.”
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said, “I want to thank the leadership of Commissioner Barbieri, D.A. Gulluni, Captain Keenan and all of our brave and dedicated ‘men and women in blue’ for their continued efforts to rid our streets of these ‘poison individuals’ and their ‘poison products’ and weapons. Hopefully, all this hard work does not go for want – due to some of our judges in our court system.”
The approximate street value of the illegal narcotics is between $600,000 - $700,000.
43 year old Luis Acevedo from 1251 Bay Street in Springfield is charged with:
- Trafficking Class A Heroin 200+ Grams
- Trafficking Class B Cocaine 200 + Grams
- Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (4 Counts)
- Possession of a Firearm with Three prior violent/drug crimes (4 Counts)
- Possession of Ammunition with an FID Card
- Larceny under $1200 (Firearm)
- Improper Storage of a Firearm
42 year old Hector Rodriguez from 1251 Bay Street in Springfield is charged with:
- Trafficking Class A Heroin 200+ Grams
- Trafficking Class B Cocaine 200 + Grams
- Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (4 Counts)
- Possession of a Firearm with Three prior violent/drug crimes (4 Counts)
- Possession of Ammunition with an FID Card
- Larceny under $1200 (Firearm)
- Improper Storage of a Firearm
30 year old Emmanuel Hernandez from 87 Newton Street in Holyoke is charged with:
- Trafficking Class A Heroin 200+ Grams
- Trafficking Class B Cocaine 200 + Grams
- Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (4 Counts)
- Possession of a Firearm with Three prior violent/drug crimes (4 Counts)
- Possession of Ammunition with an FID Card
- Larceny under $1200 (Firearm)
- Improper Storage of a Firearm
Mr. Acevedo, Mr. Rodriguez & Mr. Hernandez were all arrested inside 1251 Bay Street at approximately 1:40pm on Tuesday.
32 year old Nellys Garcia from 46 N. Sumner Street in Holyoke She is charged with:
- Trafficking Class A Heroin 18-36 grams
- Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License
Ms. Garcia was arrested at the corner of Industry Ave. and Roosevelt Ave at approximately 1:25pm.
