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Five arrested in Springfield following drug dealing operation

By Nick DeGray,

10 days ago

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Five people were arrested in Springfield as part of a joint operation to combat street-level drug dealing within the city.

Two teens arrested after Springfield police catch them breaking into vehicle

On Wednesday, members of the Springfield Police, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and State Police Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force conducted an investigation to combat violence and drug dealing in Springfield.

Springfield officers were observing a building on the 100 block of Federal Street after receiving information that heroin and crack-cocaine were allegedly being sold inside an apartment. Around 3:30 p.m., 35-year-old Richard Zayas of Springfield was allegedly seen purchasing heroin and leaving on a bicycle. Zayas was then stopped and arrested on Worthington Street.

Around 4:00 p.m., officers saw three more suspects leave the apartment building and get into a car. Police stopped the vehicle on Bay Street and arrested the driver, 41-year-old Eddie Ruiz of Springfield for driving without a license and for three outstanding warrants. One of the passengers, 36-year-old Giovanni Pagan of Springfield, was arrested for possession of heroin and crack-cocaine. The third person inside the vehicle was allowed to leave.

On the same day, police also saw two known suspects, 38-year-old Juan Munoz of Springfield and 43-year-old Rafael Avilez of Northampton, leave the apartment building.

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All five suspects have been charged with the following:

  • Rafael Avilez:
    • Distribution of a Class A Drug – Subsequent Offense (Two Counts)
    • Distribution of a Class B Drug
    • Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
    • Default Warrant (Chicopee District Court)
      – Marked Lanes Violation
      – Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License
  • Juan Munoz:
    • Distribution of a Class A Drug (Two Counts)
    • Distribution of a Class B Drug
    • Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
  • Eddie Ruiz:
    • Operating a Motor Vehicle without a License
    • Arrest Warrant (Palmer District Court)
      – Failure to Stop for Police
      – Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
      – Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
      – Shoplifting
    • Arrest Warrant (Chicopee District Court)
      – Shoplifting by Asportation
    • Default Warrant (Springfield District Court)
      – Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
      – No Inspection Sticker
  • Giovanni Pagan:
    • Possession of a Class A Drug
    • Possession of a Class B Drug
    • Default Warrant (Springfield District Court)
      – Trespass
    • Default Warrant (Springfield District Court)
      – Breaking and Entering
      – Trespass
  • Richard Zayas:
    • Possession of a Class A Drug

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