HOLYOKE – A 28-year-old Holyoke man was arrested over the weekend on drug trafficking and illegal possession of fireworks charges after state police stopped a car while on patrol in Holyoke.
During the stop early Saturday, Trooper Edward Brunton, a recent State Police Academy graduate, and Trooper Brandon Andrews, a field training officer, discovered that the car’s driver, Victor Pirela, was operating with a suspended license.
After requesting a tow truck and removing Pirela from the car, the troopers located “a massive amount of fireworks in the trunk,” according to state police.
“They also located a brown bag with the contents partially spilled out. Within those contents, the troopers noticed multiple bags containing white and brown powder substance believed to be cocaine and heroin. A subsequent search yielded approximately 50 Suboxone strips and approximately 50 small waxy bags containing heroin, which appeared to be packaged for sale,” state police said in a statement about the arrest.
In all, the troopers seized approximately 108 grams of heroin and approximately 30 grams of cocaine.
Pirela was transported to the Northampton Barracks where he was booked and had bail set in the amount of $2,500. He was later transported to Hampshire County Jail and was scheduled to be arraigned in Holyoke District Court Tuesday.
Pirela was charged with trafficking in heroin and cocaine; possession of a Class B Drug; unlawful possession of fireworks; conspiracy to violate drug laws; possession of a Class A substance; operating a motor Vehicle with a suspended driver’s license; and a motor vehicle equipment violation.