Worcester, Springfield Men Nabbed In Big Heroin Trafficking Bust

SPRINGFIELD, MA—Two men were arrested on Feb. 24 in a high-level heroin trafficking operation in Hampden County.

Authorities seized more than 9,000 packaged and ready-for-sale bags of heroin and $3,500 in cash as part of the arrest, according to the district attorney.

Narcotics Taskforce officers arrested Julio Sanchez, 39, of Springfield on charges of: Trafficking in Heroin over 200 grams, and Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws. Arrested along with him was Andy Espinal-Antonio, 32, of Worcester, on charges of: Trafficking in Heroin over 200 grams, and Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws, and Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “I would like to thank the dedicated and professional members of law enforcement who participated in this investigation. The quantity of narcotics involved shows this is a high-level and sophisticated operation which supplied this area with a significant amount of heroin.”

They were both arrested after a lengthy investigation into the trafficking of heroin in Hampden County, according to the DA, who said that both were seen selling heroin on surveillance cameras. Both were arrested after detectives safely approached the suspect’s vehicles in the vicinity of Chestnut and Liberty Streets in Springfield.

Seized in Sancez’s vehicle were approximately 9.000 packets of heroin. Discovered in Espinal-Antonio’s vehicle were approximately 50 bags of heroin and $3,580.

Sanchez’s next court date is March 21 and Espinal-Antonio is scheduled to be in court on April 6. Bail was set at $10,000 for both.

Photos via Hampden County DA