HOLYOKE — After a months-long investigation into a large-scale heroin distribution operation, police and federal authorities raided two addresses and arrested a city teenager on drug and firearm-related charges Wednesday. 

Luis Garcia-Figueroa, 19, was charged in U.S. District Court in Springfield with distribution of heroin, possession of heroin and firearm charges, according to Holyoke Police Lt. James Albert.

Albert said law enforcement executed two federal search warrants at 97 Hitchcock St. and 108 Westfield Road where police seized approximately 2,300 bags of heroin, 20 grams of ecstasy, one pound of marijuana, a 9mm Glock semi-automatic handgun and a “large amount of U.S. currency.”

According to court documents, investigators with Holyoke and state police along with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency allegedly bought packets of heroin in increasing amounts seven separate times from Garcia-Figueroa using an undercover officer between Oct. 25 and Dec. 20, 2019.

Officers reportedly witnessed Garcia-Figueroa leave multiple times from the searched addresses over the course of their investigation before he sold heroin. Police allege that Garcia-Figueroa would meet the undercover officer in public parking lots in West Springfield and on a road in Holyoke.

In the first undercover purchase, police say they bought one pack (100 bags) of heroin from Garcia-Figueroa for $240. The amounts increased to 200 bags, to 600 bags, to 900 bags of heroin sold by Garcia-Figueroa in separate instances, according to court documents. The heroin was sent to the Northeast Regional Laboratory for analysis, according to police.

Garcia-Figueroa was ordered by Judge Katherine A. Robertson in federal court Wednesday to be held pending a detention hearing set for Jan. 21, according to court records.

Garcia-Figueroa’s attorney, Thomas J. O’Connor Jr., of Springfield, could not be reached for comment Friday.

Michael Connors can be reached at mconnors@gazettenet.com. ]]>