SPD FIU Investigation Leads to Five Arrests, Seizure of Trafficking Weight of Cocaine, Fentanyl & Ammunition
SPD FIU Investigation Leads to Five Arrests, Seizure of Trafficking Weight of Cocaine, Fentanyl & Ammunition
Springfield, Mass. --- On Tuesday January 13th at approximately 4:10 p.m., members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) under the direction of Lieutenant Jaime Bruno and members of the Springfield Police Emergency Services Unit (ESU) under the direction of Lieutenant Matthew Benoit and members of the Hampden County Sheriff's Department arrested five suspects at an apartment complex on Fort Pleasant Avenue and seized a trafficking weight of cocaine, fentanyl, ammunition and cash.
Over the past several months, members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit have been investigating the illegal distribution of crack-cocaine with a 17-year-old female as a suspect. Detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for an apartment on the 0-100 block of Fort Pleasant Avenue.
While conducting surveillance on Tuesday, Detectives observed a female, later identified as 45-year-old Regina Riopel, enter the apartment and was suspected of purchasing drugs. Detectives detained her on a stairwell, recovered crack-cocaine and placed her under arrest.
Detectives and Officers then executed the warrant and detained four suspects inside the apartment: the aforementioned 17-year-old female, 39-year-old Michael Baez, 47-year-old Monica Young and 48-year-old Vincent Mondon.
During the search, Detectives recovered approximately 209 bags of suspected fentanyl, 78 grams of powder and crack-cocaine, more than $2000 in cash and loose ammunition. The four suspects inside the apartment were placed under arrest.
Due to her age, the 17-year-old female’s name and specific charges will not be released.
39-year-old Michael Baez of Springfield is charged with:
- Cocaine Trafficking 36-100 Grams
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
- Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
47-year-old Monica Young of Springfield is charged with:
- Cocaine Trafficking 36-100 Grams
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
- Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
48-year-old Vincent Mondon of Springfield is charged with:
- Cocaine Trafficking 36-100 Grams
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
- Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws
45-year-old Regina Riopel of Springfield is charged with:
- Possession of a Class B Drug