Pittsfield Law Enforcement Interrupts Drug Trafficking Operation
For Immediate Release
Subject: Pittsfield Law Enforcement Interrupts Drug Trafficking Operation Date: November 5, 2026
Berkshire District Attorney Shugrue, along with law enforcement partners, held a press conference on November 5th to provide an update on the gun violence incidents in Pittsfield that took place over the summer and to provide information regarding the interruption of a large-scale drug trafficking operation operating out of Pittsfield.
This past summer, there were four separate incidents involving gun fire in Pittsfield.
In the June 19th fatal shooting at the Tyler Street and Pleasure Street area, Pittsfield police identified a suspect, Terry Martizna who was later charged with murder. There is a warrant out for Martizna’s arrest. Law enforcement are currently working with various authorities to secure his return to Pittsfield.
The August 4th shooting incident in which shot spotter recorded 25 rounds in the area of Onota Street is under active investigation. A firearm believed to be connected to incident is currently undergoing forensic testing and the Pittsfield police remain active on the case.
Two individuals have been charged in the August 16th non-fatal shooting incident on 86 Linden Street, Jason Wright and one juvenile. There is a warrant for Jason Wright’s arrest. The juvenile is in law enforcement custody.
Finally, Willie Harrison has been charged in the August 19th non-fatal shooting at 45 Circular Avenue. Harrison’s case was indicted in Superior Court, and he has a pretrial hearing set for November 19th. He is currently held as a danger without the right to bail.
District Attorney Shugrue stated, “This summer was extremely upsetting for people living in Pittsfield and our entire Berkshire community. In the past four years, there has been a remarkable reduction in gun violence. Since January 2023, there has been a 62% reduction in validated shootings in Pittsfield. The statistic regarding validated shootings in Pittsfield shows there were 44 shooting incidents in 2021 and 40 [shootings] in 2022. Upon taking office in 2023, there were 13 shooting incidents- in 2026 there have been 16 shooting incidents. However, even one incident of gun violence is too many. I will continue the path which has led to the steep reduction in gun violence which includes supporting the cross-agency law enforcement task force and partnering with community agencies to help build protective factors in our youth and community.”
The investigation into the uptick in summer violence and an increase in reported drug activity led investigators to uncover a suspected drug trafficking operation. Investigators have not yet determined the connection, if any, between the drug trafficking operation and the four incidents of summer violence. After a lengthy investigation led by the Pittsfield Police Drug Unit and Anti-Crime Unit, law enforcement conducted a series of search warrants in the middle of October to disrupt the operation and hold individuals accountable.
Beginning on October 15th and concluding on October 22nd, the Pittsfield Police Department’s Drug Unit and Anti-Crime Unit, supported by the State Police Detective Unit, the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force; the Sheriff’s Department, and the Northwestern DA’s Office Anti-Crime Task Force, executed a series of search warrants and arrests that led to the recovery of multiple guns and the seizure of large volumes of heroin and cocaine.
On October 15th, the Berkshire County Special Response Team and Pittsfield Police, supported by law enforcement listed above, carried out a series of coordinated search warrants. These searches led to the arrests of seven individuals all tied to drug trafficking and/or illegal firearms possession. On October 22nd, law enforcement arrested two additional individuals, one with firearms charges and the other for drug trafficking charges.
The October 15th operation led to the recovery of three firearms including a 9mm, Glock 19, and .45 semi-automatic rifle along with a rifle scope and ammunition. That same day, law enforcement seized 542.2 grams of cocaine and 83 grams of heroin. The cocaine has a street value up to approximately $54,000 and the heroin has a street value up to approximately $20,000.
The October 22nd arrests included the arrest of Ryan Starbird who is alleged to have been attempting to traffic approximately 987 grams packaged into 48,000 bags into Berkshire
County. Along with Starbird, a second individual, Alyza Black, is alleged to have been in illegal possession of a semi-automatic firearm along with ammunition. The approximate one kilo of heroin had a street value worth up to $250,000.
In total, approximately 542.2 grams of cocaine and 1,083 grams of heroin were removed from the streets. Along with the drugs and guns, law enforcement also seized drug distribution items including wax baggies, digital scales, numerous cell phones, and other drug packaging paraphernalia.
District Attorney Shugrue stated, “I couldn’t be more proud to be standing here today announcing the results of this thorough investigation. I have always, and will continue to, support law enforcement in the Berkshires as they work to make our community safer.
That said, the true credit here lies with the Pittsfield police and PPD’s Drug Unit and Anti-Crime unit along with other law enforcement support,” He continued, “I want to end with reiterating the exceptional work done by the men and women who conducted this well organized and detailed operation. They put their own lives on hold during this investigation, working massive number of hours, and put their lives on the line to keep our community safe.”
Additional charges and additional individuals could come as the investigation comes to a close.
Law Enforcement Agencies Involved:
Pittsfield Police; Pittsfield Police Drug Unit; Pittsfield Police Anti-Crime Unit; Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force; Berkshire Special Response Team; Berkshire County Sheriff’s Department; Berkshire State Police Detective Unit; and the Northwestern District Attorney’s Anti-Crime Task Force.
October 15th Operation:
Drug Seizures
• 542 grams of cocaine (street value up to $54,160)
• 83 grams of heroin (street value up to $20,965)
Gun/Ammunition seizures
• 9 mm handgun with 9 rounds
• Glock 19
• .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, loaded with 6 rounds
• 4 loose rounds ammunition (various calibers)
• 10 round feeding device
• 2 boxes of 9 mm ammunition
• Rifle scope
October 22nd Operation:
Drug Seizures
• Approximately 1 kilo of Heroin* (street value up to $250,000) Gun/Ammunition Seizures
• 9mm semi-automatic Glock firearm, loaded with 16 rounds
• 13 assorted .40 caliber ammunition
*The kilo of heroin seized had an approximate weight of 983 grams. The kilo was packaged ready for sale, containing 49,350 baggies.
Narcotics, firearms, ammunition and drug distribution items (including cell phones, cash, and baggies) seized during the October 15th operation.
The approximate kilo of heroin seized from Ryan Starbird on October 22nd along with the gun recovered during the arrests.
Arrests and Charges from Operations:
Blake Bastow
• FIREARM WITHOUT FID CARD, POSSESS c269 §10(h)(1)
• AMMUNITION WITHOUT FID CARD, POSSESS c269 §10(h)(1)
• FIREARM VIOL WITH 1 PRIOR VIOLENT/DRUG CRIME c269 §10G(a)
Elijah Adams
• TRAFFICKING COCAINE (36 to 100 grams) c94C §32E(b)(2)
Noah Philpot
• TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE (36 to 100 grams) c94C §32E(b)(2)
Quran Taft
• HEROIN, POSSESS TO DISTRIBUTE c94C §32(a)
• COCAINE, POSSESS TO DISTRIBUTE c94C §32A(a)
• FIREARM WITHOUT FID CARD, SUBSQ. OFF. c269 §10(h)(1)
• FIREARM IN FELONY, POSSESS c265 §18B
• FIREARM, STORE IMPROP c140 §131L(a)&(b)
• AMMUNITION WITHOUT FID CARD, POSSESS c269 §10(h)(1)
Timothy Carnute
• COCAINE, POSSESS TO DISTRIBUTE, SUBSQ. c94C §32A(b)
Sebastian Noel
• TRAFFICKING HEROIN/MORPHINE/OPIUM (36 to 100 grams) c94C §32E(c)(2)
• TRAFFICKING COCAINE (200 or more grams) c94C §32E(b)(4)
• FIREARM WITHOUT FID CARD, POSSESS c269 §10(h)(1)
• FIREARM, STORE IMPROP c140 §131L(a)&(b)
• AMMUNITION WITHOUT FID CARD, POSSESS c269 §10(h)(1)
• FIREARM IN FELONY, POSSESS c265 §18B
• FIREARM VIOL WITH 1 PRIOR VIOLENT/DRUG CRIME c269 §10G(a)
Ryan Starbird
TRAFFICKING IN HEROIN/MORPHINE/OPIUM (200 grams or more) c94C §32E(c)(4)
Alyza Black
• FIREARM WITHOUT FID CARD, POSSESS c269 §10(h)(1)
• AMMUNITION WITHOUT FID CARD, POSSESS c269 §10(h)(1)
• FIREARM, STORE IMPROP c140 §131L(a)&(b)
• FEEDING DEVICE, POSSESS LARGE CAPACITY c269 §10(m)
•
Juvenile
Redacted
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