Contact:  Anthony R. Scott, Chief of Police

Date:        July 2, 2008

Subject:  Drug Trafficking, Firearm Possession and Arrested Subject

Number: 08-036

On this date, Wednesday, July 02, 2008, Chief Anthony R. Scott announced that the Holyoke Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Division detectives under the command of Lieutenant David R. Pratt working in conjunction with the Hampden County Drug Task Force, ATF&E, and the Mass. State Police within in the last five (5) days have removed six (6) illegal firearms from the streets of this community.  The firearms confiscated are:

• One AK-47 Assault Rifle
• One 9 mm semi automatic pistol with large capacity magazine
• One Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun purchased in January 2008
• One Savage Arms combination .22 caliber rifle/410 gauge shotgun
• One Llama .38 caliber revolver
• One .357 caliber Ruger revolver

On Tuesday, July 1, 2008 detectives from the Holyoke Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Division working in conjunction with the Hampden County Drug Task Force arrested the following individual:

Date of Arrest:            07/01/2008

         Arrestee:    RAMOS,  EVELIO OMAR      Race/Sex/Age:     W/M   33           Arrest:      08-1546-AR    

                 Address:   36     W COURT                   HOLYOKE, MA

                    Time of Arrest:     5:59 PM        Arrest Location:     36 W COURT    

                    Charge      Ch. 94C  Sect. 34  DRUG,POSSESS CLASS D                                                      

                    Charge      Ch. 94C  Sect. 34  DRUG,POSSESS CLASS B                                                       

                    Charge      Ch. 94C  Sect. 32C  DRUG,POSSESS TO DISTRIB CLASS D                                           

                    Charge      Ch. 94C  Sect. 32A(A)  DRUG,POSSESS TO DISTRIB CLASS                                                             Charge      Ch. 269  Sect. 10H  FIREARM WITHOUT FID CARD, POSSESS                                         

                    Charge      Ch. 269  Sect. 10/G  FIREARM, AMMO WITHOUT FID CARD, POSSESS                                                 Charge      Ch. 265  Sect. 18B  FIREARM USE IN FELONY                                                      

Confiscated at the time of arrest:

• One .357 caliber Ruger revolver
• 36 live rounds of ammunition for above weapon
• 54 baggies of cocaine with a street value of $1,200
• 1 baggie of crack cocaine with a street value of $50
• 17 baggies of marijuana with a street value of $200
• $1,340 in U.S. Currency

During the month of June the Holyoke Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Division in conjunction with the Hampden County Drug Task Force began an investigation into illegal drug distribution at 36 West Court in Lyman Terrace.  Following weeks of investigation a search warrant was served at the residence and the above individual was arrested in possession of the items listed above.

Chief Scott said “The Holyoke Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Division detectives under the supervision of Lieutenant David R. Pratt continue to work with outside law enforcement agencies to interdict illegal drug distribution and other crime in the City of Holyoke.  This is yet another example.  I commend these law enforcement officers for their efforts in keeping the citizens of Holyoke safe.  These officers risk their lives day in and day out in an effort to rid our streets of drugs, illegal firearms and other crime however, once they make the arrests everything is in the hands of the District Attorney and the Courts and the criminals’ ride on the Hampden County Merry Go-Round of Justice begins.  I only hope that when the criminals’ ride is over they end up in jail for a period of time that will justify the officers’ time and the taxpayers’ money.”