SPRINGFIELD — Springfield police arrested seven suspects and seized more than 100 grams of crack cocaine during a drug bust at a High Street apartment building Tuesday afternoon.
The arrests occurred around 1:40 p.m. when members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit and Hampden County Sheriff’s Department moved in on suspects operating out of an apartment building in the 0-100 block of High Street.
Police had been investigating the drug distribution operation for several weeks under the direction of Lieutenant Jaime Bruno.
Beginning around 12 p.m. Tuesday, detectives conducting surveillance observed Anthony Tejada-Cruz, Jose Baez, Juan Torres, Jaylin Williams and Derek Morales actively involved in narcotics distribution inside the building.
Around 1:30 p.m., undercover detectives entered the building and observed two additional suspects, Omar Perry and Anthony Alonso-Alomar, participating in the drug operation.
The undercover detectives observed crack cocaine in plain sight on floors of hallways and stairwells.
Additional detectives entered the building about 10 minutes later to make arrests.
Some suspects attempted to evade police throughout the building before being apprehended.
Detectives recovered approximately 49 grams of crack cocaine from Williams, more than 10 grams on the floor, approximately 27 grams on a second-floor landing, another 10 grams between banisters and approximately seven grams in a driveway outside an apartment.
The total weight of crack cocaine seized was 104.3 grams.
Police also recovered four oxycodone pills from Perry and $2,460 in cash.
Williams, 23, of Springfield, faces charges of cocaine trafficking 100-200 grams, conspiracy to violate drug law and resisting arrest.
Tejada-Cruz, 23, of Springfield, is charged with cocaine trafficking 100-200 grams, conspiracy to violate drug law and attempt to commit breaking and entering into a building during daytime for a felony.
Morales, 20, of Springfield, faces charges of cocaine trafficking 100-200 grams and conspiracy to violate drug law.
Baez, 30, of Springfield, is charged with cocaine trafficking 100-200 grams, conspiracy to violate drug law and an arrest warrant.
Torres, 46, of Springfield, faces charges of cocaine trafficking 100-200 grams, conspiracy to violate drug law, resisting arrest and attempt to commit breaking and entering into a building during daytime for a felony.
Alonso-Alomar, 20, of Springfield, is charged with cocaine trafficking 100-200 grams and conspiracy to violate drug law.
Perry, 28, of Springfield, faces charges of cocaine trafficking 100-200 grams, conspiracy to violate drug law and possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug.
