Multi-Agency Investigation Leads to more than a Quarter-Million Dollars Recovered

Multi-Agency Investigation Leads to more than a Quarter-Million Dollars Recovered

Holyoke, Mass. — At approximately 6:15 a.m. Wednesday January 26^th, members of the Springfield Police Department’s Firearms Investigation Unit under the direction of Captain Brian Keenan, Holyoke Police Officers under the direction of Captain Matthew Moriarty and officers, Troopers and Detectives assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET) under the direction of Detective Lieutenant Kevin O’Toole executed a search warrant at a home on the 900 block of Hampden Street in Holyoke based on an investigation by Springfield Police Detectives assigned to CINRET.

During the execution of the search warrant more than 1500 bags of heroin, a loaded firearm and cash was recovered. The target of the investigation, 61 year old Alvaro Flores, was arrested. An additional search warrant led Detectives to a safety deposit box where an additional $257,000 in cash was seized.

“I’d like to thank our partners, the Holyoke Police, the Massachusetts State Police and the CINRET Unit. When I created our Firearms Investigation Unit I promised to keep our Detectives in these Task Forces to investigate the major players in the drug trade. This is a perfect example of utilizing shared resources to cripple a drug operation that preys on the most vulnerable individuals in our communities and really hurt them financially with this quarter-million dollar seizure,” said Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood.

Holyoke Police Chief David R. Pratt stated, “A fine example of various agencies working together for the common good. The Holyoke Police are honored to have partaken in the multi-agency search of 963 Hampden with such great results. These investigations help us provide the protection of Holyoke citizens and continue our service to the City of Holyoke.”

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “Simply put, great and brave teamwork again from our public safety officials. I thank and commend Commissioner Clapprood, Captain Brian Keenan and our State Police and Holyoke Police Department partners for continuing to take this poison and guns off our streets and out of our neighborhoods. I hope and pray that our courts back us up and keep this violent poison peddling offender locked up.”

Alvaro Flores was arraigned in Holyoke District Court on January 26^th. The recovered firearm was reported stolen out of Wilbraham.

61 year old Alvaro Flores of Holyoke is charged with: