SPRINGFIELD - Local, state and federal law enforcement on Tuesday arrested four suspects Tuesday as part of a year-long investigation into an organized drug trafficking operation supplying heroin to Hampden County, according to the Massachusetts State Police.
The arrests at four residences and multiple vehicles in different locations resulted in the confiscation of a half-kilo of heroin, already packaged for street sales, one firearm, and $20,000 in cash, said state police spokesman David Procopio.
Arrested and charged with trafficking heroin in excess of 200 grams, and conspiracy to violate drug laws were Enrique Alicea, 29, of West Springfield, Joshua Vazquez, 29, of Springfield, and Jose Alicea, 69, of West Springfield.
A fourth man, Todd Cruzado, 33, of Springfield was charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Procopio said the investigation started in February 2020 with the state police’s Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction and Enforcement Team.
For the last several months, members of the state police team, the Hampden County Drug Task Force and the FBI Gang Task Force conducted hundreds of hours of surveillance of suspects, during which time they identified associates and customers. They also determined methods used to transport drugs from New York to Springfield, he said.
Other agencies taking part in the arrests were the Hampden and Berkshire Drug Task forces, and Hampden and Berkshire Sheriff’s departments, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security, and officers with the Springfield, West Springfield, Easthampton, Westfield and Holyoke Police.
The investigation is ongoing, Procopio said.