In Springfield, the Firearms Investigation Unit, with support from local and state law enforcement, conducted a raid on illegal firearms and drug trafficking. On Wednesday at around 2:10 p.m., officers seized three illegal firearms and substantial quantities of narcotics. The operation was led by Lt. Jaime Bruno of the FIU and Lt. Matthew Benoit of the Emergency Services Unit, with assistance from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and Massachusetts State Police CINRET West.
The property on the 0-100 block of Fort Pleasant Avenue was under surveillance for several weeks due to suspected narcotics activity linked to Joshua Santiago. During the search, nine individuals were detained, four of whom were later released. Officers seized illegal firearms, including a large-capacity weapon, more than $6,600 in cash, over 42 grams of heroin/fentanyl, and more than 155 grams of crack cocaine, according to the Springfield Police Department.
The arrested suspects — Joshua Santiago, Giovanny Guzman, Alan Provost, Luis Hernandez, and Stephanie Britt — are facing drug and firearms charges. Santiago has prior convictions for firearms and drug distribution. Hernandez has a previous cocaine distribution conviction, and Provost was previously convicted of assault and battery on a pregnant victim. The charges involve large amounts of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, as well as firearms offenses, including carrying and improper storage.
Several charges involve possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Santiago also faces a charge of armed breaking during the daytime. Details on each suspect’s charges are available in the Springfield Police Department’s announcement.
