Springfield police raid 2 'full-blown crack houses' in Forest Park neighborhood, arrest 2

Detectives, following a three-week investigation, raided the two Kensington Street apartments.

SPRINGFIELD – Police raided what they described as pair of “full-blown crack houses” in the Forest Park neighborhood Wednesday night and seized crack cocaine and a fully-loaded .45 caliber semiautomatic.

Two suspects, Maurice Small, 36, of 26 Kensington Ave., and Vanalbert Pelter, 50, of 24 Kensington, were arrested and charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and other charges, Sgt. John M. Delaney said.

Undercover narcotics detectives, following a three-week investigation, simultaneously raided apartments at 24 and 26 Kensington Ave. at about 6 p.m.

Inside, police found crack cocaine packaged for sale and the handgun, Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet, said.

The Narcotics Division is working with the Housing Court to get the two suspects evicted, Delaney said.

Both suspects were also charged with violation of a drug-free school zone, possession of a defaced firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a large-capacity firearm and possession of ammunition.