Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

Chief announces end of joint investigation

HOLYOKE On June 30, Police Chief Anthony Scott announced that a two-month long joint investigation by the Holyoke Police Department's Narcotics/Vice Division and the Hampden County Narcotics Task Force, Hampden country Gang Task Force, and the Springfield Police Department's Narcotics Bureau has ended with the arrest of four individuals and the confiscation of $19,580, over a kilo of cocaine, a semi-automatic 9mm pistol, marijuana, drug packaging materials and drug paraphernalia.

Scott said, "I wish to commend not only our Holyoke officers but all of the members of the Hampden County Drug Task Force, Hampden County Gang Task Force, and the Springfield Police Department's Narcotics Bureau for the outstanding cooperation, dedication and disregard for their own personal safety to make their communities safe.

"These agencies have the strong leadership that stress law enforcement teamwork without which the needs of the citizens would not be served. It is cooperation such as this that makes me proud to be a member of this law enforcement team.

"These individuals have been arraigned and total of 39 times as adults on such charges as dealing and possession of illegal drugs. Now the ball is in the judges' court."

During a two month long investigation, members of the Holyoke Police Department's Narcotics/Vice Division and members of the Hampden County Narcotics Task Force developed sufficient probable cause to to obtain a narcotics search warrant for 21 Worcester Place. At approximately 5:45 p.m. on June 29, they served the warrant and arrested the individuals as well as numerous items of evidence.

The arrested subjects were transported to Holyoke Police Headquarters and booked.

While processing the evidence and preparing the report, the officers came into information that a supplier of illegal drugs to drug dealers in the City of Holyoke would be making a delivery. Working under the director of Lieutenant avid Pratt, commander of Holyoke's Narcotics/Vice Division, members of the division along with members of the Hampden County Drug Task Force and the Hampden County Gang Task Force set up surveillance in the South Street Plaza to apprehend the individuals.