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HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Holyoke Police announced Thursday that a multi-agency drug operation targeting open-air dealing in city alleyways led to 12 arrests, including a stabbing suspect, as well as two additional criminal complaints.
According to Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan, the effort was aimed at targeting “known hot spots” and was part of ongoing work to address quality-of-life concerns.
“Our Officers, Detectives, and partner agencies will continue to work to clean our streets of these quality-of-life issues that our hard-working residents don’t deserve to have to live with,” Keenan said. He also announced a new Park Engagement Initiative, a 90-day program tasking officers and supervisors with focusing on safety in city parks while addressing complaints of drug use, vandalism, and other unlawful behavior.
According to police, the operation began around 2 p.m. Thursday, August 28th, near Cabot Street, officers arrested Jose Luis-Reyes, 51, of Holyoke, with 1.4 grams of crack cocaine and cash. He was charged with distribution of a Class B drug, possession of a Class B drug, and trespassing.
Later, police arrested Jason Simmons, 45, of Holyoke on Franklin Street with 12 vials of crack cocaine. He faces a possession of Class B drug charge.
By mid-afternoon, officers made multiple arrests near Sargeant Street, recovering heroin, fentanyl, and more than 130 vials of cocaine. Luis Nieves, 44, Omar Burgos-Rodriguez, 38, and Isaac Felix, 20, all of Holyoke, face a range of drug distribution and conspiracy charges. Felix was also charged with motor vehicle violations.
In a related stop on I-391, police arrested Richard Wells, 51, of Chicopee, who was allegedly in possession of heroin and crack cocaine. He faces drug charges and a charge of driving with a suspended license.
Just before 5 p.m., officers arrested Felipe Arenas, 37, of Chicopee, who was wanted in connection with a stabbing on August 24th. Police said the victim suffered serious injuries but is expected to be okay. Arenas was charged with armed assault to murder and related offenses.
Additional arrests throughout the day included:
- Randall Grenier, 44, of South Hadley, was charged with drug possession following a traffic stop.
- Brenda Neff, 27, of Holyoke, was arrested on multiple warrants and drug charges.
- Juan Manuel-Coriano, 49, of Holyoke, was arrested on outstanding warrants.
- Peter Benetiz, 36, of Holyoke, was arrested for cocaine possession.
- Jomar Munoz-Delgado, 34, of Chicopee, was arrested for drug possession and intent to distribute.
Police also filed criminal complaints against two other individuals for possession. Keenan credited the operation’s success to teamwork between local, state, and federal partners.
“This operation focused on several of our known hot spots for open-air drug dealing in our alleyways,” Keenan said. “I’d like to thank our partners at the DEA, Massachusetts State Police, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, and District Attorney’s office for their continued support during these operations.”
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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John Budenas
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