HOLYOKE — Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan announced the results of a months-long narcotics investigation that led to a significant drug seizure and arrest.
In February, the Holyoke Police Department in conjunction with the FBI Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force began investigating heroin/fentanyl distribution from an apartment at 196 Oak Street and a stash house at 805 High Street, with Roberto Muniz as the target.
On May 13, Holyoke Police Detective Anthony Brach obtained a Holyoke District Court search warrant for both addresses and a vehicle.
Around 6 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, members of the Holyoke Police Department Narcotics Unit, FBI Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and Massachusetts State Police executed the warrants.
Law enforcement officers at the Oak Street location detained a female inside and found five additional subjects, including Muniz.
Two loaded firearms, an additional firearm magazine and marijuana were recovered at the Oak Street address, and Muniz was placed under arrest.
Nearly simultaneously, officers executed a search warrant at 805 High Street, where they seized a loaded large capacity firearm, additional ammunition, more than 1,000 grams of suspected crack cocaine and cocaine, approximately 100 bags of heroin/fentanyl and approximately five pounds of marijuana.
The firearm recovered was reportedly stolen out of Virginia.
During a search of the vehicle, more than $1,000 in cash was seized.
Roberto Muniz, 35, of Holyoke is charged with possession of a Class A drug, possession with the intent to distribute a Class A drug, cocaine trafficking 200+ grams, possession of a large capacity firearm during the commission of a felony, possession with the intent to distribute a Class D drug, improper storage of a large capacity firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card, receiving stolen property less than $1,200, possession of a firearm without an FID card – subsequent offense, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
This is an ongoing investigation, and additional charges may be pending.
