Authorities arrested five men during the past week, including a Belchertown resident, and seized more than two kilograms of fentanyl as part of a lengthy investigation into a drug-trafficking organization, according to the Massachusetts State Police. The arrests also led to the seizure of two kilograms of cocaine, 11 firearms, and approximately $12,000 in cash.

“This long-running, multi-agency investigation has dismantled a prominent drug trafficking organization here in the western Massachusetts region,” Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni said in a statement. “The large amount of narcotics seized, specifically the fentanyl, and the dismantling of this organization, unquestionably has saved many lives. The agencies and officers involved should be commended for operating a very successful and intricate investigation that targeted the trafficking of fentanyl, an extraordinarily potent drug that has killed thousands across Massachusetts just over the past few years.”

On Saturday, members of the district attorney’s Hampden County Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at the residence of Julian Delgado, 29, of Springfield, for his alleged involvement in the distribution of cocaine. Delgado, had earlier been arrested during a motor vehicle stop that yielded one kilogram of cocaine. The search of his home yielded another kilogram of cocaine, found in a cardboard box under a Christmas tree, according to state police. Delgado has been charged with trafficking cocaine over 200 grams, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

On Monday, investigators learned that Maralaisy Gil, 39, and Junior Degracia, 41, both of Springfield, would be traveling to the Lawrence area to procure a large quantity of heroin/fentanyl. Later in the evening, police conducted a traffic stop in which six large bags containing approximately 2.87 kilograms of fentanyl was found in the vehicle. Both men were arrested and charged with trafficking in heroin/fentanyl over 200 grams.

The following day, search warrants were executed in Springfield and Belchertown resulting in the arrests of John Feliciano, 45, of Springfield and Jose Antonio Diaz, 46, of Belchertown. Both men were charged with trafficking in heroin/fentanyl over 200 grams, manufacturing in heroin/fentanyl, conspiracy to violate 94C Narcotic Laws, unlawful possession of a firearm (10 counts), possession of a sawed-off shotgun, and possession of ammunition without FID Card, according to state police. Feliciano was also charged with commission of a felony while armed. 

During the searches, police also recovered approximately 400 grams of heroin/fentanyl, eleven firearms (seven pistols, two rifles, one AR15 rifle and a sawed-off shotgun), two ballistic vests , $11,200, and numerous rounds of various ammunition.

Participating in the investigation were the Hampden District Attorney’s Hampden County Narcotics Task Force and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the DA’s Office, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Springfield Police Department Narcotics Unit, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Homeland Security Investigations,the West Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee Police Departments, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Massachusetts State Police’s Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team, and the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit.

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