Springfield police seize cocaine, fentanyl in drug bust

SPRINGFIELD — Two men were arrested Wednesday evening after Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) members intercepted a drug transaction in the Brown Street area.

At around 7:30 p.m., detectives observed 49-year-old Henoc Rodriguez and 31-year-old Jose Fernandez engage in what appeared to be a drug deal from a Suburban while conducting surveillance based on citizen complaints.

Upon attempting to detain the suspects, Fernandez was apprehended without incident, but Rodriguez tried to flee.

He was quickly apprehended on Bay Street.

A search of Rodriguez’s fanny pack yielded approximately 31 grams of cocaine, 420 bags of suspected fentanyl, and nearly $1,300 in cash.

The Suburban involved was confirmed to be stolen from Springfield.

Rodriguez, a Springfield resident, faces multiple charges including cocaine trafficking, distribution of Class A and Class B drugs, larceny of a motor vehicle, and several default warrants for shoplifting and larceny from Holyoke and Chicopee District Courts.

Fernandez, from Chicopee, has been charged with possession of Class A and Class B drugs.

The arrests mark a significant crackdown on local drug trafficking activities.