Bundles of heroin packets, a large amount of cash and paraphernalia were seized when a warrant was executed Wednesday and a pair of alleged heroin retailers were arrested. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
WESTFIELD – City police have gone on record stating that Westfield heroin addicts buy their drugs in Holyoke or elsewhere because there are no retail heroin dealers in the city but apparently there is always an exception that proves the rule.
The latest exception was living in a city motel for about six weeks and was apparently making a living selling heroin to local users.
The more common paradigm is for users to travel, usually to Holyoke, to shop for drug and perhaps bring back a small surplus to sell to other local addicts.
Det. Sgt. Steven K. Dickinson reports city detectives became aware that a couple who had taken up residence in a Russell Road motel had been traveling the city making drug transactions.
The subsequent investigation by city officers indicated that the couple had been selling heroin to local addicts and transactions with known addicts were observed. Police also were able to set up controlled purchases of heroin from the couple and the investigation produced sufficient evidence for a warrant to be granted which was executed March 13.
Prior to moving in, detectives again followed the couple and observed known drug users, who are identified in the report filed at Westfield District Court, meet briefly with the suspects.
After observing several transactions, the detective arranged for uniformed officer to stop the suspects’ car.
Edwin Rivera, 30, and Vanessa I. Fonseca, 31, both of 50 Russell Road, were taken into custody.
Rivera was found to be in possession of $1,240 which included pre-recorded currency which had been expended in controlled purchases from the couple.
When officers executed the warrant to search the suspect’s efficiency apartment at the motel, they discovered “twenty-five bundles of heroin (250 bags) inside a pair of Rivera’s pants” as well as four Valium pills, rubber bands used to secure the packets of heroin into bundles, packaging paraphernalia and a ledger “showing monies owed to drug dealers for drugs.”
A test solution changes color to indicate the presence of heroin as officers examine evidence seized when a pair of alleged heroin retailers were arrested in the city. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
The investigating detective reports that Rivera’s pattern of meetings with known heroin users, the large amount of both heroin and cash found in his possession and his lack of gainful employment “shows that Rivera is selling heroin to make a profit.”
Dickinson pointed out that no user paraphernalia, such as hypodermic needles or straws, were found in the search nor were there any other indications that Rivera and Fonesca were using the “product” they apparently sold.
But, he said, they had been paying $60 per night at the motel for a month and a half.
“And they don’t work”, he said. “You do the math.”
At the station during the booking process, Rivera was found to have an additional five bundles of 10 heroin packets concealed “within his buttocks cheeks.”
Rivera was charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute, a second offense. Dickinson reports that in 2009 Rivera had been found guilty in Holyoke District Court of possession of cocaine and had served a two year sentence as a result.
Like Fonseca, he was charged with conspiracy to violate drug laws.
During booking, she was found to be in possession of ten pills identified as 5 mg oxycodone tablets and two waxed white baggies typically used to package heroin.
She, too, was charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute and also with possession of a Class B drug.
Both were arraigned the same day before Judge Philip A. Contant in Westfield District Court who cited Rivera’s record of illegal drug distribution and appearance defaults when he set bail for him at $10,000.
Rivera was held when he did not post bail but Fonseca was released on $2,500 personal surety.
In an unrelated case, Community Policing Officer Kevin Bard had observed a drug transaction while off duty on Wednesday and had alerted other officers who made the arrest.
In that case, investigators arrested Malachi V. Roman, 22, of 204 Fairview West St., Greenfield, for possession of heroin with intent to distribute, distribution of a Class A drug, a drug violation near a school or park and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
His apparent customer, Jonathon P. Helnarski, 24, of 22 Scenic Ave., Webster, was arrested for possession of a Class A drug and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Dickinson said that while Roman was in custody at the station he asked to speak with him and reports that the man was hoping to trade on his knowledge of drug dealers to mitigate his legal issues.
Dickinson said that the man declined to identify his supplier but offered to give Dickinson a “bigger fish” selling heroin in the city.
When Dickinson found that the “big fish” he was offering was Rivera, Dickinson told him why he wasn’t interested and suggested that Roman say hello to Rivera as he passed the cell Rivera was in on his way back to his own cell.
