SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Police Officers and the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit made significant arrests on Friday, seizing a loaded large-capacity firearm, heroin, crack-cocaine, marijuana, and cash while taking two suspects into custody.
The operation began at around 4:45 p.m. when officers were called to the 200 block of Orange Street in response to a gun-related incident.
Upon arrival, officers spotted Daquan Hackett and Felix Ward-Smith departing from a truck on Malden Street.
The pair ignored police commands and entered an apartment they reportedly had no authorization to be in.
Ward-Smith surrendered himself to the police and was subsequently arrested on drug charges.
A search of the truck revealed a large-capacity firearm with 15 rounds of ammunition, over 100 bags of heroin, more than 4 grams of crack-cocaine, marijuana, and a sum of cash.
Hackett was later apprehended after leaving the Malden Street apartment.
A vehicle stop on the 100 block of Orange Street resulted in his arrest, along with three other occupants of the car.
Hackett, 32, faces numerous charges including carrying and improper storage of a large-capacity firearm, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and multiple drug distribution offenses.
Ward-Smith, 39, has been charged with intent to distribute various classes of drugs and conspiracy to violate drug law.
Both suspects are from Springfield.
The arrests mark a significant crackdown on illegal firearm possession and drug trafficking in the area.
