4 Charged After 1.25 Kilos Of Heroin Seized: MSP

SPRINGFIELD, MA—Four people are facing drug charges after a massive seizure of heroin on Wednesday, totaling more than 1.25 kilos.

The individuals are suspected of heroin trafficking in Hampden County, said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni on Wednesday.

“I would like to thank all of the dedicated members of law enforcement who conducted and executed this high level investigation into a significant drug trafficking operation here in Hampden County,” Gulluni said in a statement. “Aggressively fighting the opioid epidemic by disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations here in Hampden County continues to be at the center of our two pronged attack on the opioid epidemic. My office will continue to prosecute drug traffickers to the fullest extent of the law while assisting those afflicted with addiction in finding the help and treatment they need.”

Along with the Massachusetts State Police, agents followed up on intelligence they had received about a large shipment of heroin coming to the area.

As a result, Massachusetts State Police Detectives stopped the suspect’s vehicle on I-391 in the early morning hours of May 22. Police pulled the car over after spotting an apparent drug transaction in Chicopee at a self-storage facility a short time earlier.

Detectives requested a narcotics certified K9 unit to the scene and the the K-9 alerted detectives to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle shortly after showing up. Detectives discovered 400 grams of raw un-cut heroin (approximately 20,000 bags) with an estimated street value of over $100,000. Also seized were approximately 600 ready for sale bags of heroin, approximately $12,174 in U.S. Currency, and numerous items consistent with the processing and packaging of heroin.

Arrested at the scene were:
Fidel Gil, 41, of Hartford, Conn for the following charges:

1. Trafficking in Heroin Over 200 Grams
2. Conspiracy to Violate Narcotic Laws.

Paola Mercedes Reyes-Desantos, 23, address currently unavailable, for the following charges:

1. Trafficking in Heroin Over 200 Grams
2. Conspiracy to Violate Narcotic Laws.

As a result of the arrests and seizure, a total of six search warrants were applied for and granted. The search warrants included two residential locations in Springfield, two vehicles, a motel room in West Springfield, and a self-storage unit in Chicopee.

In the early morning hours of May 22, 2018 the following agencies executed the search warrants: the Hampden County Narcotics Task Force, the Springfield Police Department’s Strategic Impact Unit and Warrant Squad, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security and the Massachusetts State Police.

Of the six search warrants executed two locations had significant seizures.

In West Springfield at the EconoLodge Inn and a vehicle approximately 1,900 bags of heroin and $1200 dollars were seized.

In Chicopee at Chicopee Self-Storage approximately 30,000 bags, (approximate weight of 750 grams), with an estimated street value of $150,000, were seized.

Arrested in connection with these seizures were:

Christian Rivera, 22, of Springfield, for the following charges:

1. Trafficking Heroin Over 200 Grams
2. Possession of Ammunition Without an FID
3. Possession of Class D, Marijuana: With Intent to Distribute

Cassandra Cardona, 21, of Springfield, for the following charge:

1. Possession of Class D, Marijuana: With Intent to Distribute

Anthony Guadalupe, 22, address unavailable, for the following charges:

1. Trafficking 18-36 Grams of Heroin
2. Trafficking Over 200 Grams of Heroin

Suspects were arraigned in Springfield District Court.

Photo via Massachusetts State Police