HOLYOKE — Police officers seized trafficking amounts of crack cocaine and heroin/fentanyl and arrested two suspects Tuesday evening following a report of a firearm threat.
Officers were dispatched around 7:40 p.m. to Farnum Drive for the threat report, according to Police Chief Brian Keenan.
Officer Joshua Rivera located the suspect vehicle at a gas station at the intersection of Whiting Farms Road and Lower Westfield Road.
The vehicle contained three occupants, including a female driver who was later released.
The two passengers were identified as Joel Vazquez and Manuel Gantt, with Vazquez being the subject of the initial complaint.
Officers observed an open bottle of liquor and crack pipe in the vehicle during their investigation.
A search of Vazquez produced a knife.
Inside a satchel, officers recovered approximately 162 grams of suspected crack cocaine, approximately 46 strips of suboxone and more than 100 bags of suspected heroin/fentanyl.
More than $400 in cash was also seized.
Vazquez has prior convictions in Hampden Superior Court on drug distribution charges.
Officers also arrested Gantt due to three outstanding arrest warrants, including an extraditable warrant from Connecticut.
Vazquez, 27, of Holyoke is charged with cocaine trafficking 100-200 grams, possession with intent to distribute a Class A drug – subsequent offense (two counts), possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug – subsequent offense, possession of a Class A drug – subsequent offense, possession of a Class B drug – subsequent offense, obstruction of justice and threat to commit a crime.
Gantt, 33, of Springfield is charged with default warrant, arrest warrant and fugitive from justice on a court warrant.
