SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Three major drug trafficking investigations in Springfield have resulted in more than 50 arrests and the seizure of large amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and other drugs.


What You Need To Know

  • Authorities in Springfield announced more than 50 arrests have been made in three recent drug trafficking investigations

  • Nearly 50 firearms were also recovered, in addition to large amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and other drugs

  • In one of the investigations, it was discovered two local businesses were allegedly being used as fronts for drug trafficking

  • Authorities connected the drug trafficking networks to increased violence in that neighborhood

Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said the investigations resulted in the dismantling of significant networks operating in and around the city.

“These three operations have disrupted supply lines for dangerous narcotics in our region and taken high level drug traffickers off our streets,” Gulluni said.

In one of the three busts, investigators discovered two local businesses on Orange Street and White Street were being used as fronts for drug trafficking in a neighborhood which has seen rising violence in recent years, including 46 calls for shots fired between October 2022 and October 2024.

“The fact that you have gunshots, gun violence, gun calls and drug activity to that extent in that neighborhood is a shame, and it affects the vast majority of the people who live in and frequent the neighborhood,” Gulluni said. “99 percent of the people there are law-abiding, decent people who go to work every day and want to raise their families safely.”

Other investigations had to do with a drug trafficking ring with ties to the Bronx and a man who had been selling large amounts of heroin and cocaine out of two Springfield homes.

Lawrence Akers, Superintendent of the Springfield Police Department, said the arrests and seizures are the result of excellent collaboration between local, state and federal authorities.

“Each of these agencies get out there, they risk their lives and their health for our citizens every day,” Akers said. “If you look up here in front, that just goes to show we’re still in the fight. We’re here. We’re fighting for the residents of Hampden County, Springfield and the State of Massachusetts and we’ll continue.”

Between the three operations, authorities seized more than 70 pounds of cocaine in addition to large amounts of heroin, fentanyl and other drugs. 45 firearms were also taken.