C3 Unit Seizes Large-Capacity Firearm, Heroin and Cocaine

Springfield, Mass. — On Tuesday February 4th at approximately 12:30 p.m., Springfield Police Officers assigned to the C3 Unit and Officers assigned to Squad “B” under the direction of Captain Julio Toledo seized a loaded firearm, heroin, cocaine, crack-cocaine and arrested three suspects on the 0-100 block of Heyward Street.

Around 11:40 a.m., Springfield Police Officers responded to Heyward Street for a drug complaint.  Officers received information that a subject(s) in a pickup truck was allegedly selling drugs to individuals in recovery.

Members of the Springfield Police C3 Unit assisted with the call.  When officers arrived, they located the truck with three occupants inside and two subjects hovering around the outside of the truck.  When the subjects on the outside of the truck observed the police, they distanced themselves from the vehicle.

Officers then conducted a traffic stop.  The truck was not properly registered.  The driver, later identified as Orlando Navarro-Borges, continued to manipulate something in his lap and would not immediately show his hands to the officers.  Officers then recovered cocaine from Navarro that he was attempting to conceal.  Navarro was placed into custody.

Officers then recovered heroin from the front seat passenger, later identified as Christine Hernandez and she was placed into custody.  The rear seat passenger, later identified as Francisco Semprit-Ramos, was also taken into custody.

During a search of the truck, officers recovered crack-cocaine, cocaine and heroin packaged for sale.  Officers then located and seized a large-capacity firearm.  The firearm was loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition and was reported stolen out of Indiana.

In the back seat, officers recovered numerous Massachusetts’ DTA cards and credit/debit cards belonging to individuals that were not on site.

Navarro-Borges has a prior conviction on firearm charges out of Dudley District Court.

48-year-old Orlando Navarro-Borges of Springfield is charged with:

• Carrying a Firearm without a License
• Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm without a License
• Firearm Violation with 1 Prior Violent/Drug Crime
• Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number in the Commission of a Felony
• Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug – Subsequent Offense
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug – Subsequent Offense (Two Counts)
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class E Drug – Subsequent Offense
• Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200
• Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Uninsured Motor Vehicle
• Number Plate Violation to Conceal ID

49-year-old Francisco Semprit-Ramos of Springfield is charged with:

• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug (Two Counts)
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class E Drug
• Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
• Default Warrant 
  – Disorderly Conduct
  – Assault & Battery on a Police Officer
  – Resisting Arrest
  – Attempt to Commit a Crime (Two Counts)

35-year-old Christine Hernandez of Springfield is charged with:

• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug (Three Counts)
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class E Drug
• Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
• Arrest Warrant
  – Assault & Battery on a +60/Disabled Person
• Arrest Warrant
  – Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
  – Possession of a Class A Drug
  – Possession of a Class B Drug