SPD FIU Investigation Dismantles Drug Distribution Operation Inside High Street Apartment Building
SPD FIU Investigation Dismantles Drug Distribution Operation Inside High Street Apartment Building
Springfield, Mass. --- On Tuesday September 16th at approximately 1:40 p.m., members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) under the direction of Lieutenant Jaime Bruno and members of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department arrested seven suspects and seized more than 100 grams of crack-cocaine inside a High Street apartment building.
Over the past several weeks, Springfield Police FIU Detectives have been investigating a drug distribution operation out of an apartment building on the 0-100 block of High Street.
Beginning at approximately 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Detectives were conducting surveillance when they observed suspects, later identified as Anthony Tejada-Cruz, Jose Baez, Juan Torres, Jaylin Williams and Derek Morales actively involved in a narcotics distribution operation inside this High Street apartment building.
Around 1:30 p.m., Detectives prepared to enter the building to conduct additional surveillance efforts. As undercover Detectives gained access to the building, two additional suspects, later identified as Omar Perry and Anthony Alonso-Alomar, were observed participating in this same drug operation. The undercover Detectives could see crack-cocaine in plain sight on the floors of the hallways and stairwells.
About ten minutes later, additional Detectives entered the building to conduct enforcement. Some of the aforementioned suspects attempted to evade police throughout the building.
Williams, Alonso-Alomar, Perry, Baez, Torres and Tejada-Cruz were placed under arrest.
Morales entered an apartment and was placed under arrest.
Detectives recovered approximately 49 grams of crack-cocaine from Williams, more than 10 grams of crack-cocaine on the floor, approximately 27 grams of crack-cocaine on a second-floor landing, another 10 grams of crack-cocaine in between banisters and approximately seven grams of crack-cocaine in a driveway outside of the apartment Morales entered. The total approximate weight of the crack-cocaine was 104.3 grams.
Detectives also recovered four oxycodone pills from Perry and $2460 in cash.
23-year-old Jaylyn Williams of Springfield is charged with:
- Cocaine Trafficking 100-200 Grams
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
- Resisting Arrest
23-year-old Anthony Tejada-Cruz of Springfield is charged with:
- Cocaine Trafficking 100-200 Grams
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
- Attempt to Commit a Crime (Breaking & Entering into a Building – Daytime for a Felony)
20-year-old Derek Morales of Springfield is charged with:
- Cocaine Trafficking 100-200 Grams
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
30-year-old Jose Baez of Springfield is charged with:
- Cocaine Trafficking 100-200 Grams
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
- Arrest Warrant
46-year-old Juan Torres of Springfield is charged with:
- Cocaine Trafficking 100-200 Grams
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
- Resisting Arrest
- Attempt to Commit a Crime (Breaking & Entering into a Building – Daytime for a Felony)
20-year-old Anthony Alonso-Alomar of Springfield is charged with:
- Cocaine Trafficking 100-200 Grams
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
28-year-old Omar Perry of Springfield is charged with:
- Cocaine Trafficking 100-200 Grams
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug (Oxycodone)