SPD, MSP, HCSD Arrest Five in Connection with Street-Level Drug Dealing
Springfield, Mass. — On Wednesday April 24th, members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) under the direction of Captain Brian Keenan, members of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force made five arrests in an effort to combat violence and quality of life issues related to street-level drug dealing.
Members of the Springfield Police FIU have received information about heroin and crack-cocaine being sold out of inside an apartment building on the 100 block of Federal Street.
On Thursday afternoon, Detectives were conducting surveillance on the building. Around 3:30 p.m., a subject later identified as Richard Zayas purchased heroin and got onto his bicycle. Detectives and Troopers stopped Zayas on the 900 block of Worthington Street and placed him under arrest.
Around 4:00 p.m., Detectives observed three subjects later identified as Eddie Ruiz, Giovanni Pagan and another subject leave the Federal Street apartment building and get into a car. The driver, Ruiz, stopped on the 700 block of Bay Street. Detectives and Troopers arrested Ruiz for operating a motor vehicle without a license and three outstanding warrants. Pagan was arrested for the possession of heroin and crack-cocaine as well as two default warrants. The third subject was allowed to leave.
Detectives, Troopers and Sheriff’s Deputies then saw known suspects Juan Munoz and Rafael Avilez leave the Federal Street apartment building and they were placed under arrest.
43-year-old Rafael Avilez of Northampton is charged with:
- 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
38-year-old Juan Munoz of Springfield is charged with:
- Distribution of a Class A Drug (Two Counts)
- Distribution of a Class B Drug
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
41-year-old Eddie Ruiz of Springfield is charged with:
- 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
36-year-old Giovanni Pagan of Springfield is charged with:
- 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
35-year-old Richard Zayas of Springfield is charged with:
- Possession of a Class A Drug
