A collaborative effort between Illinois State Police and local authorities led to a major drug arrest on Tuesday night.
A Springfield man was arrested when he retrieved 80 pounds of high-grade marijuana in Chicopee from two men who were previously caught by Illinois State Police while transporting it across the country.
Chicopee police Officer Michael Wilk said state troopers in Illinois intercepted two suspects who were transporting the packages of marijuana from San Jose, CA to Chicopee. To further the investigation, the suspects, who fully cooperated with police, were allowed to return to Chicopee.
When the men arrived at their Chicopee address, Wilk said 52-year-old Pedro Ramos, of 69 Wilton St., Springfield, went to pick up the packages. A Homeland Security Special Response Team and Chicopee narcotics officers arrested Ramos without incident as he made the pickup.
Authorities conducted a search of Ramos' house and seized two stolen handguns, scales, $15,000, and materials consistent with packaging marijuana.
Ramos was charged with possession of a class D substance with intent to distribute (subsequent offence), two counts of possession of a firearm without a license to carry, two counts of receiving stolen property over $250 (firearms) and possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card, Wilk said.
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Chicopee police seized $15,000 and two handguns in a drug bust on Tuesday. (CPD)
Pedro Ramos was arrested after he picked up 80 pounds of high-grade marijuana from a residence in Chicopee. (CPD)
Three bags containing 80 pounds of marijuana were seized after police arrested Pedro Ramos. (CPD)
80 pounds of high-grade marijuana was transported across the country from California to Massachusetts, but not before the Illinois State Police intercepted the traffickers. (CPD)
