The streets of Holyoke are a little cleaner today after a joint task force, including the Holyoke Police Narcotics Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), confiscated a substantial amount of drugs yesterday. Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan announced the arrest of Dwayne Howlette, 35, following a weeks-long investigation into his alleged narcotics distribution activities.
Investigators zeroed in on Howlette after securing a search warrant for his residence located on the 200 block of Oak Street. The operation took an unexpected turn when law enforcement spotted Howlette driving away from his home, subsequently engaging in a traffic stop that resulted in Howlette colliding with a DEA vehicle. According to a social media post by the Holyoke Police Department, Howlette was arrested after a brief incident where he rammed his SUV into a DEA vehicle.
In the raid that followed, officers uncovered roughly 1800 bags of heroin/fentanyl and significant quantities of suspected cocaine, alongside ammunition and cash. The social media announcement further detailed the seizure of 48.25 grams of heroin/fentanyl and 157.25 grams of cocaine. The event spotlighted the ongoing battle against drug trafficking within the city and showcased the collaborative efforts of various agencies to stem the flow of illegal narcotics.
Howlette has been hit with multiple charges, ranging from drug trafficking to resisting arrest. "35-year-old Dwayne Howlette of Holyoke is charged with Trafficking Heroin/Fentanyl 36-100 Grams, Trafficking Cocaine 100-200 Grams, Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card, Resisting Arrest, Wanton Destruction of Property +$1200, Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License," as stated on the department's official Facebook page.
