SPRINGFIELD — A coordinated effort by Springfield Police Department’s Firearms Investigation Unit, C3 Metro Unit, and Hampden County Sheriff’s Department led to five arrests and the seizure of an illegal firearm, drugs, and cash on Nov. 1.
Under the leadership of Captain Brian Keenan, Sergeant Jaime Bruno, and Sergeant David Robillard, the operation recovered an AR upper receiver, a loaded gun, ammunition, large quantities of crack-cocaine and heroin, and over $600 in cash.
The investigation focused on the illegal sale of crack-cocaine from an apartment in the 0-100 block of Winter Street.
Surveillance and a search warrant were key components in the weeks leading up to the arrests.
Alexander Rivera was observed engaging with a suspected customer, who was later identified as Gregory Daviau.
Meanwhile, Timothy Ortiz was seen leaving the apartment with a suspected firearm and accompanied by Xiomara Vazquez-Alicea.
A traffic stop near Armory and Carew streets resulted in the recovery of heroin, crack-cocaine, and a firearm from Ortiz and Vazquez-Alicea’s vehicle.
Simultaneously, officers executed the search warrant at the Winter Street apartment, detaining and arresting Taveon Awosika, Daviau, and Rivera on different floors of the building.
The search yielded the AR upper receiver, additional drugs, and ammunition.
The suspects face various charges, including firearm offenses, drug trafficking, and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Ortiz, 29, faces multiple charges as a convicted felon with prior violent and drug crime convictions.
Rivera, 53, is charged with possession with intent to distribute and firearm-related offenses.
Vazquez-Alicea, 28, Awosika, 18, and Daviau, 32, all face drug and conspiracy charges.
