SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit and Hampden County Sheriff’s Department arrested four suspects and seized trafficking amounts of cocaine and heroin Tuesday.
The arrests occurred around 2:30 p.m. in a Summit Street parking lot as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal drug activity in the Federal and Worthington Streets area.
Detectives observed suspected drug activity and approached David Lazu, who threw his cross-body bag into a dumpster when he saw police.
Officers detained Lazu and recovered five bags of heroin from the bag before arresting him.
Detectives then arrested Jorge Torres and searched his vehicle, recovering approximately 1,430 bags of heroin weighing about 28.6 grams.
Officers also seized approximately 61.9 grams of crack cocaine in bags and capsules, along with $930 in cash from Torres, who had an outstanding arrest warrant.
Rafael Montes and Carlos Suarez were also arrested during the operation.
Detectives recovered approximately 78.2 grams of crack and powder cocaine from Montes and Suarez, plus $1,031 in cash from Montes.
Jorge Torres, 26, of Hartford, Connecticut, is charged with cocaine trafficking 36-100 grams, heroin trafficking 18-36 grams, conspiracy to violate drug law and a default warrant for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Carlos Suarez, 30, of Springfield, is charged with trafficking cocaine 36-100 grams, distribution of a class A drug and conspiracy to violate drug law.
Rafael Montes, 28, of New Britain, Connecticut, is charged with trafficking cocaine 36-100 grams, distribution of a class A drug and conspiracy to violate drug law.
David Lazu, 53, of Springfield, is charged with possession of a class A drug.
The Firearms Investigation Unit has been investigating drug activity in the Federal and Worthington Streets area for several weeks under the direction of Sergeants Evan Donermeyer and David Robillard.
