A joint operation by Massachusetts State Police and federal and local law enforcement partners Sunday resulted in the arrest of two Springfield men and the seizure of large quantity of cocaine, heroin/fentanyl, xylazine, and methamphetamine and seven firearms. One of the weapons seized was a rifle with a bayonet attached.
The arrests and seizures came as the result of investigation into the trafficking of Fentanyl and Cocaine from Springfield, Mass., to Vermont that was conducted by the Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team -- an MSP narcotics task force that includes officers from local and federal partner agencies -- along with the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit and agents from the federal Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Springfield Office.
During the investigation, MICAH VARELA, 36, of Springfield, and ROBERTO SANTA, also 36 of Springfield, were arrested without incident outside 24 Wilcox St. in Springfield. VARELA had two loaded firearms and a large quantity of suspected cocaine and suspected methamphetamine in his possession. SANTA was also arrested with a loaded firearm and cocaine.
Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant in apartment 2L of 24 Wilcox St. which resulted in the discovery of four more firearms and additional narcotics. Both subjects were transported to the Springfield Police Department and booked on the following charges.
MICAH VARELA:
1. Trafficking in Cocaine, 200 grams or more;
2. Trafficking in Methamphetamine, 36-100 grams;
3. Carrying a firearm without a license, two counts;
4. Carrying a loaded firearm, two counts;
5. Felon in possession of a firearm, two counts; and
6. Violation of a firearm surrender order (two counts).
ROBERTO SANTA:
1. Trafficking in Cocaine, 200 grams or more;
2. Trafficking in Methamphetamine, 36-100 grams;
3. Carrying a firearm without a license;
4. Carrying a loaded firearm; and
5. Felon in possession of a firearm.
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