Massachusetts Troopers arrest four for trafficking narcotics

Yesterday, shortly after midnight, Trooper Blakeley Pottinger and his field training officer Trooper Michael Leslie, assigned to State Police-Shelburne Falls, were on patrol in Bernardston. While traveling on Route 91 northbound they observed a gray Mitsubishi Outlander operating erratically over the lane markings. They subsequently caught up to the SUV and initiated a motor vehicle stop.

Upon stopping, both troopers approached the vehicle and identified four occupants inside. Trooper Pottinger spoke to the operator, identified as KEVIN ZWEERES, 42, of Bridport, Vt., and told him the reason for the stop then asked to produce his license and registration. ZWEERES informed Trooper Pottinger he did not possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle. He was subsequently removed from the driver’s seat then placed in handcuffs and escorted to the rear of the vehicle. Trooper Leslie was on the passenger side of the vehicle speaking to the front seat passenger, identified as DOMINIC SANTIAGO, 26, of East Hartford, Conn. While speaking to SANTIAGO Trooper Leslie ordered him to stop reaching in his pockets. After two warnings SANTIAGO was removed from the vehicle in order to conduct a pat-frisk for weapons. During the pat-frisk of SANTIAGO struck Trooper Leslie in the face with his elbow then began running from the scene into a wooded area.

Within several minutes Trooper Leslie was able to catch and subdue SANTIAGO. He was restrained and escorted back to Trooper Leslie’s cruiser. While escorting him, Trooper Leslie recovered a large bag SANTIAGO attempted to dispose of while fleeing in the woods. This bag contained a substance believed to be crack cocaine. After escorting SANTIAGO back to the cruiser a thorough search of his person was conducted. Troopers located additional crack cocaine along with a 400 wax bags containing a substance believed to be heroin.

Officer Cody Guilbault, of the Greenfield Police department, was in the area and overheard Trooper Leslie shouting in the distance. He took it upon himself to deploy to the scene fearing our Troopers were in trouble. Sergeant Melinda Herzig, of the Charlemont Police Department, also responded to the scene in order to assist with the rear seat passengers. These passengers, identified as ALLISON BEAN, 34, of Bridport, Vt. and AMANDA KRAUSE, 38, of Essex Junction, Vt., were removed from the vehicle for questioning. Both females were found to have additional narcotics or paraphernalia in their possession and were also placed under arrest. Troopers seized a total amount of 68 grams of crack cocaine, 24 grams of fentanyl, 440 wax bags of heroin, and numerous articles of paraphernalia.

All four occupants were transported to the Shelburne Falls barracks for booking. Bail commissioners placed a bail amount of $25,000 on SANTIAGO, $10,000 on ZWEERES and KRAUSE, and $1,000 on BEAN. After the completion of booking all four arrestees were transported to the Franklin County House of Correction where they were held until their arraignment yesterday morning at Greenfield District Court on the following charges.

KEVIN ZWEERES:
• Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle;
• Marked Lanes Violation;
• Possession of a Class A Substance;
• Possession of a Class A Substance with Intent to Distribute;
• Trafficking in Fentanyl; and
• Trafficking in Cocaine.

DOMINIC SANTIAGO:
• Resisting Arrest;
• Tampering with Evidence;
• Possession of a Class A Substance with Intent to Distribute;
• Trafficking in Fentanyl; and
• Trafficking in Cocaine.

ALLISON BEAN:
• Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law;
• Possession of a Class A Substance with Intent to Distribute;
• Trafficking in Fentanyl; and
• Trafficking in Cocaine.

AMANDA KRAUSE:
• Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law;
• Possession of a Class E Substance;
• Possession of a Class A Substance;
• Possession of a Class A Substance with Intent to Distribute;
• Trafficking in Fentanyl; and
• Trafficking in Cocaine.