In both instances, Protas failed to appear for her arraignments this past fall, according to the two signed arrest warrants. Williams was then arrested without incident and taken to the Massachusetts State Police Springfield Barracks, the DAs Office said. Sign up here to get a weekly email with all of VTDigger's reporting on courts and crime. He reports on criminal justice issues for VTDigger. Updated: May 28, 2022 / 04:39 PM EDT. Items seized during a major multi-department drug bust in Western Massachusetts from the beginning of 2023. VTDigger publishes a wide range of stories about Vermonts educational system from early childhood education issues to public and private K-12 schools to higher education. (KY3) - A drug bust leads to the arrest of a man and woman in Camdenton, Mo. The investigation has led to four arrests: Springfield residents Hector Rodriguez, 42, and Luis Acevedo, 43, and Holyoke residents Emmanuel Hernandez, 30, and Nellys Garcia, 32. By Ryan Trowbridge. The owner of a local catering operation is facing federal drug and weapons charges after he and another man were arrested last month on charges of . When Eric Clapton found himself involved in the drug bust that signaled the beginning of the end for Buffalo Springfield, the English . In May, Vermont State Police and Springfield Police executed a search warrant at 77 Valley Street looking for Anibal Castro Sr., who, according to an affidavit, had allegedly fired shots at a male subject in relation to a potential drug related dispute in which the victim was not hit by the bullets. Bedell allegedly possessed a .223-caliber semi-automatic pistol without a serial number, a Springfield Armory .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Ruger .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Sept. 12, 2019. Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News, How to register your school/organization for closings and delays, Black bear gets stuck in tree in Northampton, Widening manhunt for Texas gunman slowed by zero leads, Man arrested after $3M worth of drugs shipped to Maine restaurant, Volunteers put finishing touches on future home of injured soldier in Mattapoisett, Approximately 30 pounds (15 kilograms) of cocaine, 406 grams of raw fentanyl (just under a half kilo), Approximately $190,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. According to the motion, data from Castros sons cellphone Anibal Castro Jr. contained multiple images and videos of Castro Sr. holding various firearms. Prosecutors also indicated that law enforcement continues to investigate certain items possessed by the defendant at the time of his arrest.. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States. Hodges is also charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school. Thanks for reporting an error with the story, Massachusetts cyclist dead after accident during Northeast Kingdom gravel bike, Hinesburgs community solar project falters, Bellows Falls gets an early look at new housing, Plan for Alburgh child care center is back in motion, Then Again: Driving logs downriver was scary, risky, a test, Man shot in the chest in downtown Burlington, police say, King Arthur Baking to suspend online sales from Vermont; 19 employees affected, Massachusetts cyclist dead after accident during Northeast Kingdom gravel bike race, Then Again: Driving logs downriver was scary, risky, a test of skill and courage. The police arrived in force, he claims, well after the music had stopped. (KY3) - A traffic stop Saturday in Miller County led Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers to a drug bust. In Hampden County, state police detectives responded to 57 overdoses they believe were caused by heroin or fentanyl. Having a Springfield Police Task Force Officer assigned to this Unit ensures that we will continue to work together throughout Hampden County to seize these narcotics which are now far too often laced with the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl. Affidavits cite numerous undercover and controlled drug purchases, as well as seizures of heroin, fentanyl, and large amounts of cash. In October 2017, Jonathan Castro was arrested during a vehicle stop in Hartford during which police seized 2,300 bags of heroin, according to a release from the Hartford Police Department. At first I just heard a really loud bang with a pause of silence, and then two more loud bangs and then yelling and commotion, Alisyn Pinney, a Valley Street resident, told VTDigger. Holyoke man Alexander Rodriguez, 33, was charged with trafficking 200 or more grams of heroin, trafficking fentanyl and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, while Springfield man Josue Figueroa, 29, was charged with trafficking 200 grams or more of heroin or fentanyl, along with 200 or more of cocaine and with the conspiracy to violate narcotic laws. Other departments assisting departments were the Springfield Police Firearm Investigation Unit, the Hampden District Attorneys Office, the State Police Detective Unit for Hampden County, the Springfield Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Martin is also charged with two counts related to distributing fentanyl. Three houses along Valley Street were raided. An apparent major drug distribution conspiracy case that began in Texas a year ago ended in Springfield this week. VTDigger is now accepting letters to the editor. State troopers assigned to a narcotics reduction enforcement team launched an investigation in 2022 into a trafficking organization that was supplying heroin and fentanyl across Hampden County, according to the Massachusetts State Police. Crime Springfield police find 30 pounds of cocaine, nearly 14,000 fentanyl pills in gang drug bust One person was arrested. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Updated: Jun 7, 2017 / 10:14 PM EDT. Among the defendants who were arrested and charged in November and December 2019, 19 defendants along with two new defendants were charged in two separate superseding indictments this week. A motion for detention on Aries federal charges filed by prosecutors in September indicates that on June 16, Springfield police detained Arie after police responded to reports of shots fired on Valley Street.. How a Drug Bust Helped Break Up Buffalo Springfield. (WHDH) - A 51-year-old Springfield man is facing multiple drug trafficking charges after authorities seized a cache of drugs worth over $2 million on the street, according to officials. VTDigger regularly publishes stories about Vermont politics. Boston 25 News facebook feed(Opens a new window), Boston 25 News twitter feed(Opens a new window), Boston 25 News youtube feed(Opens a new window), School administrators: Create a closings account, First Republic Bank seized by regulators; sold to JPMorgan Chase, Its gunna spread: Encampment crackdown to resume in Boston Monday, 4 men from Mass., NH arrested in Lawrence-based drug trafficking ring, federal authorities say, Authorities searching for suspect after 1 killed, 5 wounded in shooting at Lawrence party, Aerosmith announces farewell tour with stop in Boston. Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), Grillos Pickles sues Wahlburgers, says company is duping customers, Man armed with knife shot and killed by Cambridge police, officials say, Heres why Mass. Sarns says that's all the more distressing, since he's always felt the bust was a set up. Additionally, Farisse and Everett also are charged together in one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, the use of which caused the death of another person (who is not identified in court documents), and one count of distributing fentanyl on or about Oct. 17, 2019, which caused the death of this person. 42, of Springfield, Massachusetts, for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. Aneudy Lopez-Santos, 40, of Holyoke, is charged with trafficking cocaine 100-200 grams. Phil Scott issued a similar statement on Thursday. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Gov. Photo by Massachusetts State Police. Escalera was also charged for two counts of each of the following: unlawful possession of a firearm, and of ammunition, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession while having a prior crime conviction involving violence or drugs. Four Springfield residents are facing drug charges after Sangamon County deputies seized 40 grams of suspected methamphetamine, two .22-caliber revolvers and approximately $3,000 in . Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni announces major drug bust. KOLR Springfield. Yet bad vibes surrounding this drug bust have been blamed in part for Buffalo Springfield's eventual breakup. Mass. He can be reached at jcraven@vtdigger.org. Gulluni, Captain [Brian] Keenan and all of our brave and dedicated 'men and women in blue' for their continued efforts to rid our streets of these 'poison individuals' and their 'poison products' and weapons. Martin Kielty Published: March 23, 2021. Robert Patruno with leading the stash house investigation, and said the broader investigation into the Holyoke-based drug ringcontinues. "I want to thank the leadership of Commissioner Barbieri, D.A. At the time, Arie was on pretrial release for felony charges including fentanyl trafficking and methamphetamine possession. All rights reserved (About Us). Wheeler allegedly possessed a Sig Sauer .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol, an Izhmash .308-caliber semi-automatic rifle, and a Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Nov. 14, 2019. Protas is charged with knowingly possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance after law enforcement found her with a 6.3 mm semiautomatic pistol, according to the affidavit. WILLIAMSTOWN, Vt. ( NEWS10) - On Friday, the Vermont State Police arrested four people for possession of crack cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana, and . He was held at Northeast Correctional Complex from October 2017 to May 2018. Court documents specify that Castro was arrested in the Springfield Hospital parking lot on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Hampden District Attorneys Office announced the arrest of Alonzo Williams, who was taken into custody in late December 2022. The 51 year old was arraigned on Dec. 23 in Springfield District Court and was ordered to be held on $75,000 cash bail. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WHDH-TV. One of the neighbors didn't think it was so cool. 14, 2022 at 1:36 PM PDT. . Worsham, Sims, and Lindsey are each also charged with one count of possessing heroin and/or fentanyl with the intent to distribute. Three Missouri teenagers and a woman in her 20s killed in head-on crash, Springfield woman killed after being hit by a motorcycle; man arrested after fleeing the scene, St. Louis Cardinals star, turned broadcaster Mike Shannon dies, Tuesday Morning to close all store locations, including Springfield location, Springfield Police remind people to use the Safe Exchange Zones, May marks Mental Health Awareness Month; what you should watch out for in your kids. Robert Bigio Sr., 60, and Robert Bigio, Jr. 34, both of Springfield, each face the same charges of trafficking 100 to 200 grams of heroin and 10 or more grams of fentanyl, along with trafficking cocaine and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute. SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Over a dozen people have been arrested and guns and drugs were . In total, the task force seized 9.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine and 2.3 kilograms of fentanyl packed into 111,200 individual small baggies, 28 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, 18 pounds of marijuana, more than $100,000 in cash, six motor vehicles, and three handguns, state police said. ", Stevie Nicks Covers Buffalo Springfields For What Its Worth, Neil Young Left Buffalo Springfield and CSNY for the Same Reason, How Eric Clapton Survived Buffalo Springfield Drug Bust, Neil Young Didnt Tell Stephen Stills About New Buffalo Springfield Box Set, Buffalo Springfield LPs Collected on Whats That Sound? Box, What the Career-Spanning Buffalo Springfield Box Set Missed, The Day Buffalo Springfield Played Their First Show, Richie Furay Admits Frustration Over Aborted Buffalo Springfield Reunion. Alonzo Williams, 51, of Springfield, has been charged with possession of a firearm without a license, trafficking fentanyl over 200 grams, trafficking cocaine over 200 grams, trafficking cocaine of 18 to 36 grams, and possession with intent to distribute a class A drug. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Both Clapton and Young avoided any deportation threat, while Sarns received a fine of $300 and a three-month probation. 0:00. They seized 1,752 grams of cocaine, 80 grams of heroin, 26 grams of various pills, 12 illegal firearms, and $23,591 in cash. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. The money seized during a major multi-department drug bust in Western Massachusetts from the beginning of 2023. A routine traffic stop in Hampden County over the weekend led police to discover a loaded pistol, hundreds of bags of heroin, and thousands of dollars in cash, officials said. By Dec. 21, investigators had honed in on Williams residence and vehicle, receiving court authorization to search both. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (Six other defendants have been indicted in separate, but related, cases). SPRINGFIELD, Mo. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. Joint efforts such as what occurred yesterday are a strong step towards addressing these types of crime.. At the time of his arrest, Castros residence was listed as Springfield, Massachusetts. Police arrest 2 in drugs bust in Camdenton, Mo. Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said the bust was connected with authorities investigation into the Knox Street Posse and Sycamore Street gangs. Three people are facing federal charges that they conspired to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl following Wednesdays early morning raids in a downtown Springfield neighborhood plagued by recent shootings, according to charging documents filed in federal court Thursday. Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force members executed a warrant at a residence on Hopkins Circle in Camdenton. A monthslong investigation into a Massachusetts drug trafficking ring recently ended with eight arrests and the seizure of a gigantic stash of fentanyl and cocaine, authorities announced Wednesday. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. State Police drug bust (Massachusetts State Police). SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - One person is under arrest after a lengthy investigation resulted in the discovery of thousands of bags of drugs. That work led to the arrest of Castro Jr. Castro Sr.s son after police discovered a pipe bomb in his bedroom. Stills, in the meantime, already had phoned attorneys for his friends. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. (WHDH) - Multiple law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts recently seized about 13,500 bags of heroin in a massive drug bust following a monthslong. This very significant narcotics supplier to both the Knox Street and Sycamore Street gangs is a continuation of our efforts in arresting, disrupting, and dismantling these highly dangerous and lethal drug trafficking organizations, who drive fear and violence in our community, Gulluni said in a statement. State police said the Springfield area is a known supply source for mass narcotics trafficking in Western New England, with direct connections from area drug traffickers to Connecticut and New York City. Prosecutors on Thursday also filed a motion to hold Jonathan Castro in custody while his case is pending, citing evidence that he sold illegal drugs to confidential informants on several occasions, directed others to sell drugs and collected the proceeds from the transactions. Christopher Bermudez, 29, of Holyoke, is charged with possession of heroin. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. - Joel Cruz, 27, of . Agents with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI arrested 10 of defendants on Wednesday in a coordinated takedown involving multiple law enforcement officers at . Jonathan Castro was arrested Wednesday in Lebanon, New Hampshire, with a search of his apartment there by law enforcement resulting in the seizing of two firearms, cocaine and suspected drug proceeds, according to the motion filed for his detention. Garcia is charged with trafficking between 18 and 36 grabs of heroin and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. Most of the defendants were arrested in a coordinated law enforcement sweep in November . Zach Roth. Our environmental reporter is Mike Polhamus. A motion to hold Castro Sr. in custody filed by federal prosecutors on Thursday alleged that he had distributed drugs on Valley Street in Springfield and elsewhere. Vermont and federal agencies carry out drug bust in Springfield. The charges contained in these indictments are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Two men now face potentially decades in prison after a bust that began over an expired license plate. Sunbeam Television Corp Seems Buffalo Springfield were hanging out at the home of Stephen Stills' then-girlfriend, nestled in California's Topanga Canyon, when Neil Young, Jim Messina, Richie Furay and Stills began a jam session with pal Eric Clapton. During that stop, they allegedly found about 136 grams of cocaine, the DAs Office said. Police arrested more than two dozen people in a drug bust in Southern Vermont. Jeff Mobus, the Springfield town manager, also praised them for their help in addressing drug-related crime and violent crime, which he said have increasingly afflicted the town. Leath is also charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com. Several types of narcotics were found in the bust 2.3 kilograms of field-tested fentanyl, packaged as heroin into 111,200 individual small baggies, were seized, along with 28 grams of suspected fentanyl pills. We also specialize in coverage of state finances and the impact of tax and budget policy on Vermonters. (KY3) - A drug bust leads to the arrest of a man and woman in Camdenton, Mo. Two additional defendants were charged in one of the two separate, but related, superseding indictments returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, Feb. 18, for a total of 21 defendants in those two cases. However, Caldwell indicated there were more drugs in the room, according to the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office. Federal authorities allege that Jonathan Jose Castro, Anibal Papi Castro Sr. and Derek Arie conspired with two other people whose names are redacted from the filing to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl in Vermont between March and November. MILLER COUNTY, Mo. The prior drug trafficking conviction, separate and apart from the instant indictment, establishes the defendants previous involvement in narcotics sales and his danger to the community, according to the filing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Vermont State Police say 16 people were busted in a Windsor County drug investigation on May 8. Stay up to date with everything Boston. The raid stemmed from a two month investigation of an alleged "stash house" for a Holyoke-based drug ring at 1251 Bay Street in Springfield, police said. The public may view the reports by going to WHDH.com and clicking on "FCC Public File", or by visiting the FCC's website at FCC.org. According to police, the Vermont Drug Task Force with the . State police said the CINRET-West Unit has specifically targeted multiple drug trafficking organizations responsible for fentanyl distribution in recent years, and made multiple seizures of fentanyl packaged as heroin and fentanyl pills packaged as Oxycodone pills in the past year. - Additional charges and more defendants have been added to two federal indictments that now charge a total of 21 defendants for their roles in separate conspiracies to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Springfield, Mo., area, resulting in the overdose deaths of at least two people. The federal indictment charges each of the 15 defendants with participating in a conspiracy to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin and/or 400 grams or more of fentanyl in Christian and Greene counties from Sept. 23, 2018, to Nov. 14, 2019. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Officials say, on Wednesday, June 17, at approximately 5:20 a.m., the Sangamon County Sheriff's . Heriberton Escalera, 34, of Springfield, is charged with trafficking heroin or fentanyl 36-100 grams, trafficking cocaine 100-200 grams, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a .