Four men charged with supplying heroin in Western Massachusetts

Investigators seized $60,000 worth of heroin Wednesday and arrested four men allegedly connected to an organization supplying the drug in western Massachusetts, State Police said.

Enrique Alicea, 29, and Jose Alicea, 69, both of West Springfield, and Joshua Vazquez, 29 of Springfield, each was charged with trafficking in heroin over 200 grams and conspiracy to violate drug laws, police said.

Todd Cruzado, 33 of Springfield, was charged with possession of a firearm without a license to carry, unlawful carrying of a firearm, possession of ammunition without a Firearm Identification Card and possession of a Class A narcotic with intent to distribute, police said.

In February 2020, State Police began an investigation into a heroin source of supply in Hampden County. Troopers identified the source as Enrique Alicea, police said.

Over the next several months, investigators conducted hundreds of hours of surveillance and identified members and customers of Alicea’s organization, including a violent Springfield crew with a history of firearms, assaults and drug crimes, police said. Investigators were also able to identify methods by which the drugs were transported between New York and Springfield, police said.

At about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, federal, state and local law enforcement arrested the four suspects.

Investigators executing search warrants at four residences and three vehicles seized a Taurus 9mm pistol, approximately 500 grams of heroin, and approximately $20,000 in US currency, police said.

 

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3bdZzy1