On Friday, February 7th, a joint law enforcement effort was executed to disrupt a drug trafficking organization attempting to entrench itself in Berkshire County. Friday’s operation was the result of a months-long investigation. The organization was bringing in large amounts of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl pills to the Berkshires.
The investigation was led by the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office.
Berkshire District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue stated, “I ran for office on a platform of accountability and commitment to building a safer community. Friday represented a critical milestone in fulfilling that pledge. Thanks to months of diligent investigative work and the brave actions of local and state law enforcement, the Berkshires became a safer place. Those bringing large quantities of drugs to our community, exploiting those suffering from addiction, will be prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law.”
District Attorney Shugrue added, “I am incredibly proud of the team of dedicated law enforcement professionals who worked on this investigation. Altogether, 20 firearms and over $200,000 in street value of drugs were removed from the streets.”
On the morning of February 8th, the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office and the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force, along with assisting agencies identified below, prepared to execute the 23 search warrants both simultaneously or in very close proximity of each other. The first search warrant was executed slightly after 9:00am with the others to follow.
The search warrants included residences in North Adams, Adams, and Pittsfield; vehicles; a long-term storage facility (U-Haul, West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield), and six Defendants. (The six Defendants who had an active search warrant are Richard Colon; Jose Carrasquillo; Henry Vidal; Victor Colon; Julio Colon-Valentin; and Andy Rivera-Medina.)
Additional search warrants were executed on the same day in Lowell Massachusetts. The search warrants in the Berkshires and Lowell were part of a connected investigation.
Colonel Geoffrey Noble of Massachusetts State Police said “This operation shows the Massachusetts State Police will relentlessly pursue anyone who distributes opioids and possesses illegal guns in the Commonwealth. Every member of our ranks is committed to making our communities safer by getting illicit drugs and guns off of our streets,”
Colonel Noble added. “The complexity of organizing a regional takedown, arresting 10 individuals, and seizing 20 firearms, narcotics, and currency cannot be overstated. I commend the Berkshire County State Police Detectives for their thorough investigation, our regional partners from local police departments for their professionalism during Friday’s tactical operation, and prosecutors in the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office for pursuing charges in this case. These efforts will strengthen public safety in the Berkshires and beyond.”
Pittsfield Police Chief Thomas Dawley stated, “The Berkshire County Drug Task Force (BCDTF) have done an outstanding job in dismantling a significant network of illegal drug activities in Berkshire County. Their diligent efforts, dedication and expertise have led to a successful confiscation of illegal narcotics and firearms. The investigation has had a profound disruption of illegal narcotic sales in Berkshire County. Their commitment to justice and our community’s safety showcase how critical their role is in combatting illegal drug-related crimes. I would be remiss if I did not honorably mention the vital role our Berkshire County Special Response (BCSRT) and the Massachusetts STOP Teams had in securing the safety of not only our officers but all the involved individuals and our community. Finally, I want to thank the Pittsfield Police Officers. Every day they devote themselves to building a safe community and protecting our residents. The City of Pittsfield is fortunate to have such dedicated individuals serving their community.”
Chief Mark Bailey of North Adams said, “This operation led to the successful dismantling of a large-scale drug distribution and firearm trafficking network. I want to thank each and every member involved in the operation for their dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment during the multi-agency operation. It is a testament to the power of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in our ongoing efforts to combat violent crime and illegal drug distribution. This operation required extensive cooperation, intelligence-sharing, and strategic execution. The arrests made and contraband seized will have a lasting impact, making our streets safer and sending a clear message that we will not tolerate criminal activity that endangers our community. The North Adams police officers, and all law enforcement involved in the operation, exemplified the highest standards of law enforcement. Their courage and commitment to public safety does not go unnoticed.”
Chief K. Scott Kelly of the Adams Police Department commented, “I’m proud of my department’s involvement, as well as the multitude of officers from around the state. It is important for the community to recognize the magnitude of what was taken off our streets and the work that was put into this effort. All of this to create a safer community for all of us and to send a message of zero tolerance. Lastly, to all officers involved. It comforts me to know that everyone went home safe from something that is never without its dangers.”
Detailed information regarding items seized, search warrants, and individuals arrested are below. There will be a follow up press statement on Tuesday, February 11th, once all individuals have been arraigned.
Law Enforcement Agencies Involved:
• Berkshire District Attorney’s Office
• Berkshire State Police Detective Unit
• Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force
• Berkshire County Special Response Team
• Berkshire County Sheriff’s Department
• Massachusetts State Police STOP Team
• Attorney General’s Office Massachusetts State Police
• Pittsfield Police Department
• Great Barrington Police Department
• North Adams Police Department
• Adams Police Department
• Lowell Police Department
• Franklin/Hampshire County Law Enforcement Task Force
• Middlesex State Police Detective Unit
• Assisted: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms – equipment for the operation
Items Seized
The following items were seized during Friday’s operation. (Street value of the drugs combined is approximately $200,000.)
• 20 firearms including numerous large capacity rifles and pistols
• $60,000 cash
• 700 grams of cocaine
• 320 grams of heroin
• 300 grams of fentanyl pills
Search Warrants
Locations
• 93 Beaver Street in North Adams, Massachusetts
• 97 Beaver Street in North Adams, Massachusetts
• 101 Beaver Street in North Adams, Massachusetts
• 76A Howland Avenue in Adams, Massachusetts
• 76B Howland Avenue in Adams, Massachusetts
• 78A Howland Avenue in Adams, Massachusetts
• 78B Howland Avenue in Adams, Massachusetts
• 11 Quaker Street Apartment 2 in Adams, Massachusetts
• 11 Quaker Street Apartment 3 in Adams, Massachusetts
• 3 Orchard Street Apartment 12 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
• 138 Mill Street Apartment D in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
• U-Haul 434-436 West Housatonic Street Unit 1424 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
• U-Haul 434-436 West Housatonic Street Unit 1548 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
• 239 Lakeview Avenue Apartment 2 Second Floor in Lowell, Massachusetts
Vehicles
• A 2019 gray Nissan Rogue bearing Massachusetts registration 3NHW53
• A 2017 blue Infiniti QX6 bearing Massachusetts registration KVX2453
• A 2017 gray Nissan Sentra bearing Massachusetts registration 5EKS44
Persons
• Richard COLON
• Jose CARRASQUILLO
• Henry VIDAL
• Victor COLON
• Julio COLON-VALENTIN
• Andy RIVERA-MEDINA
Individual’s Arrested:
Henry VIDAL
DOB: 08/23/1982
3 Orchard Street Apartment 12, Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Charges
1. Trafficking Cocaine 36-100 Grams
2. Trafficking Heroin 200 Grams or More
3. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
Jose CARRASQUILLO
DOB: 01/18/1975
239 Lakeview Avenue Apartment 2, Lowell, Massachusetts
1. Trafficking Cocaine 200 Grams or More
2. Possession of Ammunition without an FID
3. *Firearm charges are being handled by Lowell Police Department*.
4. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
Richard COLON
DOB: 11/10/1980
11 Quaker Street Apartment 3, Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Charges
1. Trafficking Cocaine 200 Grams or More
2. Trafficking Cocaine 100-200 Grams
3. Trafficking Heroin 100-200 Grams
4. Trafficking Fentanyl 300 Grams
5. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
Victor COLON
DOB: 12/19/1979
101 Beaver Street North Adams, Massachusetts
Charges
1. Trafficking Cocaine 18-36 Grams
2. Possession with Intent to Distribute Class A Fentanyl
3. Possession of Firearm without LTC/FID x2
4. Possession of Firearm in Commission of a Felony x2
5. Improper Storage of a Firearm x2
6. Possession of Ammunition without an FID
7. Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device x3
8. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
Julio COLON-VALENTIN
DOB: 09/04/1998
101 Beaver Street North Adams, Massachusetts
Charges
1. Possession with Intent to Distribute Class A Heroin
2. Trafficking Cocaine 18-36 Grams
3. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
Andy RIVERA-MEDINA
DOB: 07/09/1980
78A Howland Avenue, Adams, Massachusetts
Charges
1. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
Kahlil LANPHEAR-DYER
DOB: 10/13/1998
11 Quaker Street Apartment 2, Adams, Massachusetts
Charges
1. Trafficking Cocaine 100-200 Grams
2. Possession of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony x16
3. Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device x7
4. Improper Storage of a Firearm x13
5. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
Ismael BELTRE-BELTRE
DOB: 07/25/1985
76B Howland Avenue, Adams, Massachusetts
Charges
1. Trafficking Cocaine 100-200 Grams
2. Trafficking Heroin 36-100 Grams
Gerard MENDEZ-NAVARRO
DOB: 07/25/2005
76B Howland Avenue, Adams, Massachusetts
Charges
1. Trafficking Cocaine 100-200 Grams
2. Trafficking Heroin 36-100 Grams
Meagan OAKLEY
DOB: 02/22/1992
76B Howland Avenue, Adams, Massachusetts
Charges
1. Trafficking Cocaine 100-200 Grams
2. Trafficking Heroin 36-100 Grams