Seven Arrested In Multiple Drug Raids

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Seven people were arrested during a series of drug raids on Friday.

 

The Berkshire County District Attorney's office said some 4,440 bags of heroin, 82 grams of cocaine, weapons, ammunition, and about $40,000 in cash were seized on Friday during the operations.

 

The office is charging Shameen Howard, 27, and Aquireya Howe, 22, both of Springfield, Dylan Ducharme, 23, Ryan Henault, 21, Paul Lewis, 23, Zackary Kirkland, 20, and James Daley, 26, all of Pittsfield with trafficking in heroin and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

 

Lewis, Kirkland, and Daley were also charged with trafficking in cocaine, while Henault also faces a charge of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. 

 

The raids were a combined effort between Berkshire and Hampden State Police Detective Units, the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office, and Pittsfield, Dalton, and North Adams Police. 

 

The District Attorney's office said raids were conducted at a Springfield home and at two apartments in Pittsfield. Arrests were made during vehicle stops in Pittsfield on Brown Street, West Street, and West Housatonic Street.

 

Police also confiscated 4,400 bags of heroin, 82 grams of cocaine, a .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 9mm Glock, a ballistic vest, ammunition and about $40,000 in cash. 

 

"I am grateful for our law enforcement partners for interrupting a major drug-trafficking operation between Springfield and Pittsfield, and getting a large amount of dangerous drugs and weapons off the streets of Berkshire County," District Attorney Andrea Harrington said in a prepared statement. 

 

"Our community is safer this week than it was last week thanks to their diligence and bravery. This operation is an example of how the Berkshire District Attorney's Office works hand-in-hand with law enforcement to enhance public safety in Berkshire County."

 

Five of the defendants were held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing and pre-trial hearings are scheduled for Howe and Daley in May.