In August 2022, the North Adams Police Department in conjunction with the Berkshire County Drug Task Force conducted an investigation into a potential drug dealing operation being run out of apartments at 150 Ashland Street. The investigation included controlled purchases, corroborated information about the suspect, and surveillance. Based on this investigation, Quentin Harris (Springfield MA) was arrested. When Harris was arrested, North Adams police recovered items from his person:
- $821.00 in cash
- Twisted plastic containing a white rock like substance weighing 20.5 grams (field tested positive for cocaine)
- Twisted plastic baggie containing a white rock like substance weighing 4 grams (field tested positive for cocaine)
- Twisted plastic containing approximately 31 small prepacked twisted baggies of brown/tan powder weighing a total of 8.3 grams (Harris identified this as heroin)
- Smith and Wesson .45 Caliber handgun with laser attachment and a round loaded in the chamber
- .45 Caliber Magazine located in the handgun
- Six .45 Caliber rounds of ammunition (including the round removed from the chamber of the firearm)
On Tuesday, August 24th, Quentin Harris pled guilty and was sentenced to the charges below. He was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Agostini in Berkshire Superior Court.
| Charge | Sentence |
| Possession with Intent to Distribute, To Wit Fentanyl | 5 to 8 years state prison concurrent on all charges |
| Trafficking in Cocaine | 5 to 8 years |
| Illegal Possession of a Firearm (2nd Offense) | 5 to 7 years |
| Illegal Possession of a Loaded Firearm | Nolle Pros |
| Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony | 4 to 5 years |
The $821 was forfeited upon sentencing.
District Attorney Shugrue once again brought light to the pattern of drugs being trafficked into Berkshire County from Springfield. He stated, “It now should be evident that there is an active drug trafficking route from Springfield into the Berkshires” District Attorney Shugrue was referring to the successful prosecution of multiple individuals trafficking drugs packaged for distribution into Berkshire County.
District Attorney Shugrue added, “I commend the police in their investigations and successful arrests of these criminals. This is difficult and dangerous work. These individuals [drug dealers] are not suffering from addiction. They are bringing drugs to those in the grips of addiction and contributing to the public health crisis of narcotic and opioid use that exists in Berkshire County and the nation.”
Assistant District Attorney Joseph Yorlano represented the Commonwealth. The North Adams Police Department and the Berkshire County Drug Enforcement Task Force were the lead law enforcement agencies involved in the case.