DRUG RAID AT 48 1/2 WARD ST.

From the Worcester Police Department FB page:

Year-Long Drug Investigation Yields Numerous Guns and Drugs – 11 Arrests Made

Worcester Police Chief Gary J. Gemme announced today that as a result of an extensive narcotics investigation initiated by members of the Worcester Police Vice Squad, eight search warrants were executed and eleven arrests were made. This was a joint investigation by the Worcester police department, Massachusetts State Police, and supported by the Worcester Country District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. The execution of these search warrants and the securing of the premises of the targeted sites involved the assistance of the Oxford Police Department and Auburn Police Department.

“Today was a bad day for those who would prey on our residents and neighborhoods. With one fell swoop, the Worcester Police Department and their law enforcement partners put a serious dent in drug trafficking in our city,” said City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. “This kind of case only comes together through cooperation across agency lines. Thank you to the Worcester Police Department, District Attorney Joseph Early’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police, and Connecticut State Police for their tireless work to make Worcester a safer place.”

Describing the operation, Chief Gary J. Gemme said “In the early morning hours, officers involved in the operation prepared to enter pre-determined locations simultaneously to execute eight search warrants including sites in Oxford, Auburn and Connecticut.”

Members of the Worcester police vice squad, and Massachusetts State Police made entry into the following locations and secured the premises:

11 Russell Street, 1st Floor Worcester
11 Russell Street, 2nd Floor Worcester
48 ½ Ward Street, Worcester
75 Ward Street, Worcester
21 Merrick Street, 3rd Floor, Worcester
143 Orchard Hill Drive, Oxford
Starters Distributors, 848 Southbridge Street, Auburn

Connecticut State Police, Massachusetts State Police and Worcester Police executed a search warrant at 442 Eastford Road, Woodstock, CT.

The search warrants yielded more than 200 grams of cocaine, more than 200 grams of heroin, 11 firearms, 10 vehicles and approximately $75,000 cash.

Commenting on the investigation, Chief Gary J. Gemme said, “Anytime you can focus on areas of the City impacted by drugs and violence, it goes a long was to enhance the safety and vitality of our neighborhoods. … This is just one of a number of investigations and wiretaps that we are working on which focuses on guns and drugs.”

The investigation began approximately a year ago and included a wiretap and surveillance. It is expected that the arrests made during this investigation will disrupt the illegal activities of the drug organization.

“This was a great effort and a lot of good police work went into this over the past year,” said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. “This action truly exemplified how well the state police assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and Worcester Police work together.”“You cannot overstate how important it is to get heroin and cocaine in this quantity off the streets and take back these neighborhoods,” he said. “It is also a very good day for law-enforcement and for public safety when we can get this many weapons out of the hands of drug dealers.”

During the raids, the following individuals were placed under arrest:

Juan DeJesus, 24 of 48 ½ Ward Street, Worcester was charged with Possession of Class A Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Class B Substance with Intent to Distribute, Trafficking in Class B Substance more than 200 Grams, and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws.

Jose Tapia, 26, of 48 ½ Ward Street, Worcester was charged with Possession of Class A Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Class B Substance with Intent to Distribute, Trafficking in Class B Substance more than 200 Grams, Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws, Possession of Class B Substance, and Possession of Class C Substance

Jose Correa, 38, of 143 Orchard Hill, Oxford was charged with Trafficking in Class B more than 200 Grams and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws.

Joshua Amart, 24, of 11 Russell Street, Apartment 2, Worcester was charged with Distribution of Class B Substance (Subsequent Offense).

Pito Bauza, 45, of 42 Grand Street, Apartment 2, Worcester was charged with Possession of Class A Substance and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws.

Eduardo Diaz, 33, of 159 Water Street, Worcester was charged with Use of Firearm in a Felony, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Firearm/Ammunition without an FID Card, Possession of Class A Substance with Intent to Distribute, Interfering with a Police Officer and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws.

Wilfredo Valle, 32, of 300 Gregory Avenue, Passaic, NJ, was charged with Use of Firearm in a Felony, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Firearm/Ammunition without an FID Card, Possession of Class A Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Class B Substance with Intent to Distribute and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws.

Israel Diaz, 36, of 41 Merrick Street, Worcester was charged with Possession of a Machine Gun, Trafficking in Class B Substance more than 200 Grams, Trafficking in Heroin more than 200 Grams, Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws, Use of a Firearm in a Felony, Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card, and Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card.

Additional charges are pending and all eight individuals will be arraigned tomorrow at the Worcester County District Courthouse.

Three additional individuals were arrested in Connecticut and are facing numerous firearms and drug charges.
“These arrests and seizures of narcotics, firearms and suspected drug profits will deliver a significant blow to the cocaine and heroin trade in Worcester and the surrounding region,” said Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent, Massachusetts State Police. “Today’s operation and the investigation that preceded it is a model for interagency cooperation.”
“I commend the work of the State Police Detective Unit attached to District Attorney Early’s office and of our partners at the Worcester Police Department, ” he said.

Chief Gemme commended Captain of the Bureau of Investigative Services, Paul Saucier, Vice Squad Lt. Joseph Scampini, and Police Officer Larry Williams for their tireless work on the investigation. “The results of this investigation are a tribute to the dedication that we continually see from our officers working to keep our community safe,” said Chief Gemme

WOW