By Tiffany Williams –
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Eight people were arrested after authorities executed search warrants at two Springfield locations in an investigation that police say targeted a drug distribution operation.
The arrests came Thursday, August 6, after an investigation by the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit focused on a home on Sachem Street and an apartment on the 100 block of Woodside Terrace.
Detectives had been investigating David Coleman and Christopher Vazquez in connection with the alleged operation.
Police said Coleman also had an active Hampden Superior Court arrest warrant on firearms charges and was wearing a court-ordered ankle bracelet.
Investigators had also received complaints involving breaking and entering and trespassing at vacant apartments on the 100 block of Woodside Terrace.
As detectives searched for Coleman on Sachem Street, they said they saw Najee Qadir arrive at the home, meet with Coleman and leave carrying a backpack. Police said Qadir then returned to the targeted Woodside Terrace apartment.
At approximately 6 p.m., the Firearms Investigation Unit and Massachusetts State Police executed a search warrant at the Sachem Street location.
Eight people were inside. Five were eventually released.
Detectives said they recovered more than 100 grams of cocaine, more than 15 grams of fentanyl, 178 bags of heroin and more than 40 rounds of ammunition.
Coleman, 28, of Chicopee, was arrested on cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking and possession with intent to distribute a Class A drug charges. He also faced the outstanding Hampden Superior Court warrant involving firearms-related charges and accessory after the fact.
Cristian Vazquez, 23, of Springfield, was charged with possession of a Class B drug.
Christopher Vazquez, 18, of Springfield, was charged with possession of ammunition without an FID card and possession of a Class A drug. Police also listed a warrant in connection with his arrest.
Three hours later, authorities moved on the second location.
At approximately 9 p.m., members of the Firearms Investigation Unit and Hampden County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant on the 100 block of Woodside Terrace.
Police said Qadir jumped from a second-floor window after officers announced their presence.
A foot pursuit followed.
Detectives caught up with Qadir near Belmont Avenue and Locust Street, where he was detained and later arrested.
Four women inside the apartment were also detained and subsequently arrested.
Investigators said they recovered two bags of crack cocaine, 14 bags of heroin, $121 in cash and a stun gun from the apartment.
Qadir, 36, of Springfield, faces charges including possession with intent to distribute Class A and Class B drugs, possession of a firearm without an FID card involving the stun gun, daytime breaking and entering into a building for a felony and trespassing. Police said he also had an arrest warrant from Springfield District Court for disorderly conduct.
Gloribel Garcia, 52, Tiffany Gray, 34, Peaches Eli, 32, and Shareem Brown, 33, all of Springfield, were also arrested on charges stemming from the Woodside Terrace operation.
The charges against the four women include various drug possession or distribution allegations, breaking and entering and trespassing charges. Garcia and Gray also face charges involving the stun gun, while Eli had an outstanding Springfield District Court warrant.
The two searches capped an investigation that moved from surveillance to simultaneous allegations involving narcotics, ammunition, a stun gun and outstanding warrants.
Eight arrests.
Two locations.
And a Springfield police investigation that authorities say targeted a drug distribution operation operating inside the city.