SPRINGFIELD, MA — Springfield police arrested six people and seized three illegal firearms and more than 130 grams of cocaine during a multi-month drug investigation in the Federal and Worthington streets area.
The Firearms Investigation Unit conducted the operation from October through November in response to complaints from residents and business owners.
Police recovered more than 130 grams of cocaine and crack-cocaine, more than 170 bags of fentanyl and heroin, three illegal firearms and more than $6,400 in cash during the investigation.
On Oct. 2 at approximately 11:30 a.m., detectives arrested Arnaldo Vega, 38, of Springfield, on the 800 block of Worthington Street following a traffic stop.
Police recovered approximately 11.5 grams of crack-cocaine in a bag, 48 baggies of crack-cocaine, an additional 1.5 grams of crack-cocaine, 20 packets of fentanyl and $4,793 in cash.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Vega’s storage unit on Worthington Street and recovered 25 bags of fentanyl and heroin, approximately 75.2 grams of cocaine and crack-cocaine, and loose ammunition.
Vega has four previous drug distribution convictions.
On Oct. 9 at approximately 6:35 p.m., detectives arrested four suspects in the area of Worthington Street and Federal Court.
Kenneth Watson, 27, of Springfield, and Gian Toledo, 24, of Agawam, fled on foot and attempted to scale a wall but fell and were taken into custody.
Kevin Torres-Serrano, 26, of Springfield, and Valeria Pelliciar, 30, of Holyoke, were detained at the scene.
Police recovered approximately 21 grams of crack-cocaine, 159 bags of heroin and fentanyl, and more than $500 in cash.
On Nov. 19 around 4:15 p.m., detectives arrested Luis Vazquez-Heredia, 29, of Springfield, after observing a suspected drug deal on the 100 block of Armory Street.
During a traffic stop on the 800 block of Worthington Street, detectives observed cocaine and a firearm in the vehicle.
Police recovered three illegal firearms, two of which were loaded, more than 37 grams of cocaine, one bag of heroin and more than $1,100 in cash.
Vazquez-Heredia faces charges including trafficking cocaine 18–36 grams, possession with intent to distribute Class A and B drugs, three counts of carrying a firearm without a license, two counts of carrying a loaded firearm without a license, three counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and a motor vehicle lights violation.
Vega faces charges including cocaine trafficking 36–100 grams, possession with intent to distribute a Class A drug subsequent offense, possession of ammunition without an FID card and possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug subsequent offense.
Watson, Torres-Serrano, Pelliciar and Toledo each face charges including cocaine trafficking 18–36 grams, possession with intent to distribute a Class A drug and conspiracy to violate drug law.
Watson and Toledo also face charges of resisting arrest.
