New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On Thursday, Jan. 31, based on an investigation into crack cocaine distribution, Massachusetts State Troopers and members of two police task forces executed a search warrant at a Springfield residence, resulting in the arrest of the target and the seizure of trafficking weights of heroin and cocaine, two firearms, and ammunition.
Troopers and officers also found items that could be used to impersonate law enforcement officers. The warrant was executed at 202 Tyler St. at approximately 5:30 p.m. Thursday by members of the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, State Police Detective Unit for Hampden County, ATF, and the State Police-Springfield Barracks.
Troopers and officers located the target of the investigation, ROY SANTIAGO, 23, of that address, and another man lying face down in a bedroom whose door they had locked.
After advising SANTIAGO of his rights, police located a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver under a blanket on the bedroom dresser, loaded with six .357 rounds. Police also located a .22 caliber Ruger semi-automatic handgun in a holster. Subsequent investigation determined that SANTIAGO does not have a license to carry a firearm, and that the Ruger had been stolen in Windsor, Vermont last year.
A State Police canine trained in narcotics detection, Tucker, alerted to a closet and a stand in the bedroom where SANTIAGO was found hiding. A search of the locked closet led to the discovery of baggies containing a brown granular substance believed to heroin. In all, 12 baggies of the suspected heroin totaling a preliminary weight of approximately 118 grams were seized.
Also seized from the bedroom were the following:
– 12 baggies of various sizes containing a white, rock-like substance consistent with crack cocaine, totaling a preliminary weight of 83 grams;- A blunt wrapper containing six more .357 bullets;- A box containing 44 more .357 bullets;- A box containing 47 .25 caliber bullets;- A box containing 45 .38 Special bullets;- A red ink blotter and a stamp reading “life is beautiful,” known to the Troopers and officers as the type of items used to mark small baggies containing heroin;- Two baseball caps with law enforcement logos; and – A black duffle bag containing a security badge with neck chain, three two-way radios, rubber gloves, a knit mask and a camouflage face mask, a gun holster, two tactical vest with carry compartments; and zip-tie handcuffs.
The investigation determined that all the items belonged to SANTIAGO.
Troopers transported SANTIAGO to the State Police-Springfield Barracks, where he was booked on the following charges:
– Unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts;- Unlawful possession of ammunition;- Possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony;- Improper storage of a firearm, two counts;- Trafficking in cocaine;- Trafficking in heroin; and – Receiving stolen property (the Ruger).
A bail clerk set bail at the barracks at $100,000. SANTIAGO was then transported to the Hampden House of Correction was expected to be arraigned yesterday. No further information is available.
