Large Scale Drug Trafficking Organization Dismantled After Investigation

September 23, 2019 -Springfield- Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Office partnered with the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team has dismantled a large scale drug trafficking organization after lengthy investigation into the distribution of heroin and cocaine throughout Western Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “Those who seek to profit from the scourge and devastation of addiction must be held accountable. When the court system fails to do so, especially with violent and repeat offenders, we send the wrong message that this crisis is not taken seriously. I thank the investigators, who worked diligently to, once again, apprehend these offenders.”

The principal members of the organization and the focal point of the investigation were Jonathan Acevedo, 22, of Chicopee, Jonathan Rivera, 29, of Springfield, and Jean Carlos Rios-Rivera, 20, of Springfield

Jonathan Acevedo, While out on bail and on court ordered house arrest with electronic monitoring, allegedly set-up a major narcotics distribution operation out of a residential address in Chicopee. He would allegedly traffic large amounts heroin to other dealers throughout this area locally and in Vermont.

On August 31, 2019 investigators executed multiple search warrants; one at 141 Skeele Street and the other at 28 Lucretia Street in Chicopee. The subsequent searches yielded: 2800 bags of heroin, 7 grams of cocaine, and 56 grams of crack-cocaine.

As a result of these searches, Jonathan Acevedo was arrested on the following charges: Trafficking in Heroin (36-100 grams), and Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B Cocaine. He was arraigned in Chicopee District Court and is currently being held on $100,000.00

In the course of this investigation it was learned that Acevedo allegedly received his heroin shipments from Jean Carlos Rios-Rivera.Rios-Rivera was identified as an alleged heroin source of supply for several local heroin dealers here in Hampden County. 

On September 19, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant in connection with  Rios-Rivera’s operation at 12 Bayonne Street in Springfield. 

Seized during the execution of the search warrant was: 22,400 bags of heroin, a Glock 27 handgun, and one magazine with eight rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.

Arrested during the execution of this search was Jonathan Rivera, 29, of Springfield. He has been charged with: Trafficking in Heroin over 200 Grams, Possession of a Firearm Without a License, and Possession of Ammunition Without a License.

Upon hearing of the search warrant, Rios-Rivera fled to avoid arrest.  An arrest warrant was sought and issued for Rios-Rivera for Trafficking Heroin over 200 grams.  He was later arrested in a hotel in Windsor Locks, CT and is awaiting extradition to Massachusetts.

Participating in this investigation were the: Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team, Hampden County Narcotics Taskforce, Hampden District Attorney’s Office,  Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, Springfield Police Department, Chicopee Police Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

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