Hampden County Narcotic Taskforce Seizes Four Kilos of Cocaine in Seventy Two Hours

February 23, 2016 -Springfield MA- Members of the Hampden County Narcotics Task Force (HCNTF) comprised of members of the Massachusetts State Police, Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee Police Departments and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, seized four kilograms of cocaine and arrested three suspected drug traffickers in two separate raids.

The first raid occurred on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 35 Pine Street, Springfield, Mass which resulted in the seizure of approximately two kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of Pablo Torres, 46, of 38 Ledyard Street, Springfield, Mass., and Samuel Hernandez, 40, of 64 Osgood Street, Springfield, Mass. Both were charged with 1. Trafficking in cocaine over 200 Grams and 2. Conspiracy to violate narcotic drug laws. The raid was led by the Massachusetts State Police assigned to District Attorney Gulluni’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

The raid occurred after the interception of illicit narcotics by the Department of Homeland Security. The subsequent investigation then led investigators to 35 Pine St. A district court search warrant was applied for and obtained. Once officers set up surveillance and identified the participants of the illegal trafficking they moved in and arrested the conspirators without incident.

The second raid took place on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 71 Adams Street, Apartment 4L, Springfield, Mass. The raid carried out by the Task Force resulted in the seizure of approximately two kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of Juan Rosario, 37, of 71 Adams Street, Apartment 4L, Springfield, Mass., for the following charges: 1. Trafficking in cocaine over 200 Grams and 2. Conspiracy to violate narcotic drug laws.

The raid occurred after the interception of illicit narcotics by the Department of Homeland Security. The investigation then led investigators to 71 Adams Street, Apartment 4L. A district court search warrant was applied for and obtained. Once officers set up surveillance and identified the participant of the illegal trafficking they moved in and arrested the alleged trafficker without incident. The raid was led by the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Hamden District Attorney Gulluni’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Springfield Police Department.

Commenting on the seizure of four kilograms of cocaine in 72 hours, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “We are focused on investigating, arresting, and aggressively prosecuting drug dealers and traffickers. It is they who profit from the scourge of addiction, which destroys lives, families, and communities. The involved agencies collaborated to remove a significant amount of illicit drugs off the streets. I thank them for a thorough and successful investigation, which will be followed by a forceful prosecution.”

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