USA - Huge drug bust in western Mass

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By Lesley Tanner


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A major drug operation is shut down in Western Mass, through the cooperation of several local, state and federal agencies. They've shut down an operation responsible for bringing several thousand pounds of marijuana into the area each year. Hampden County District Attorney lists the dangerous weapons seized along with the drugs.

"We have an AK-47 assault rifle which was fully loaded with two ten round clips, we had a 22 caliber handgun with eight rounds of ammunition, a 45 caliber semi-automatic handgun with four rounds of ammunition."

Those are just a few of the weapons investigators found, being used by members of a major drug ring in the Greater Springfield area.

"The people that are making money off these illegal drugs are using these weapons to threaten, to protect themselves," says Bennett.

Eighteen people, fifteen of them from Western Mass have been arrested so far, putting an end to this organization.

"It epitomizes what we try to do with all of our investigations, by dismantling organizations from the top to the bottom," says DEA Agent Kevin Lane.

Officials say this man, Garfield Williams, was at the top. He and his wife Sharmaine allegedly ran the operation out of their Jamaica Street home. A business they've been in for at least the past few years.

"Marijuana trafficking and these traffickers in particular have one goal sell dope and make money," says Agent Lane.

The 200 pounds seized so far is worth about 300-thousand dollars on the street. But investigators say this bust will do more than stop the spread of drugs.

"We have drugs here, but probably the biggest significance of the drugs are the weapons that are with those drugs," says Agent Lane. "I think that is what makes the most impact into the community."

Officials say they believe there will be additional arrests and seizures before this investigation is complete. Some of those already arrested could face federal charges as well.


http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/10726231.html


Not even a fraction of whats going on in this town.