HOLYOKE — Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan announced Friday that officers successfully seized illegal drugs and recovered a stolen vehicle as part of ongoing efforts to tackle drug dealing in targeted areas.
Around 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 28, Officer Joshua Salas was conducting surveillance on Elm Street following citizen complaints about open-air drug activity.
Officer Salas observed a vehicle on Elm Street suspected of being involved in drug activity, which was also reported stolen.
A traffic stop was conducted, and five people were found inside the vehicle.
Three occupants, including the driver, attempted to flee but were quickly detained by Officer Salas and Hampden County Sheriff’s Deputies.
The two remaining occupants were also detained after officers observed empty crack vials in the vehicle.
Driver Ricardo Serrano-Acumulado, 24, of Holyoke, was arrested for receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
One passenger, Jesus Jauridez, 43, was arrested with approximately 12 capsules of crack-cocaine and seven bags of heroin/fentanyl in his possession.
Jauridez will face an additional charge of possession of ammunition without an FID card after ammunition was found in his motel room.
Vanessa LaFlamme, 41, of Springfield, who had outstanding warrants, was also arrested, and crack-cocaine was found in her possession.
Two individuals who initially fled from the vehicle were released without charges.
Serrano-Acumulado is charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
Jauridez faces charges for possession of Class A and Class B drugs, along with receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
LaFlamme is charged with possession of a Class B drug and an arrest warrant violation.
