HOLYOKE — Multi-agency task force officers seized more than 50 grams of cocaine while arresting a 33-year-old man Wednesday morning, Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan announced.
Luis Alvarado was taken into custody during the execution of a search warrant at 559 South Canal Street at approximately 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Members of the FBI Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force and Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit had been investigating the distribution of cocaine from the apartment over the past several months with Alvarado as a suspect.
Task force officers applied for and were granted a search warrant for the apartment.
The warrant was executed by members of the FBI Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, Hampden County Narcotics Task Force, Hampden County Strategic Action Focused Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Holyoke Police Department, the Chicopee Police Department, Springfield Police Emergency Services Unit and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office.
Alvarado was located inside the building and taken into custody.
A woman and three children were inside the apartment and later released.
During the search, officers recovered approximately 52.2 grams of cocaine, 62 suboxone films and $278 in cash.
Alvarado of Holyoke is charged with cocaine trafficking 36-100 grams, possession with the intent to distribute a Class B drug, and possession of a Class B drug.
