HOLYOKE — A recent multi-agency drug bust resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of heroin and a large amount of cash from a city man, according to police.
The Springfield Police Department reported that a search was executed Jan. 26 at a Hampden Street home in Holyoke where more than 1,500 bags of heroin were seized, as well as a stolen handgun.
A second search, of a safety deposit box, resulted in the seizure of $257,000, according to police.
Members of the Springfield Police Department’s Firearms Investigation Unit, Holyoke police officers and state troopers and detectives assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team all participated in the search.
The target of the investigation, 61-year-old Alvaro Flores, was arrested and charged with heroin trafficking, 18 to 36 grams; possession of a firearm without a license; improper storage of a firearm; possession of ammunition without an FID card; and receiving stolen property with a value less than $1,200. He was arraigned in Holyoke District Court.
“A fine example of various agencies working together for the common good,” said Holyoke Police Chief David R. Pratt in a post on the Springfield Police Department’s website. “The Holyoke Police are honored to have partaken in the multi-agency search of 963 Hampden with such great results.”
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.