Luis R. Santiago, 40, and Maribel Franco, 33, both of 65 Grand St., were charged with trafficking heroin, trafficking cocaine and violation of a drug-free school zone following an investigation by the Springfield police Narcotics Division.
Luis R. Santiago and Maribel FrancoSPRINGFIELD - A Springfield couple was arrested on Thursday following an investigation into drug sales around the area.
Luis R. Santiago, 40, and Maribel Franco, 33, both of 65 Grand St., were charged with trafficking heroin, trafficking cocaine and violation of a drug-free school zone following an investigation by the Springfield police Narcotics Division.
According to police, detectives were watching the couple and their home for an unspecified amount of time, under the direction of Sgt. Robert Tardiff. Police say that Santiago and Franco would sell drugs out of the house and make deliveries around the city.
Springfield police allege that Santiago and Franco were selling large quantities of heroin and cocaine out of the Forest Park home they purchased in 2004. (Photo courtesy of Springfield Assessor's Office)On Thursday morning, officers were about to execute a search warrant at the Grand Street house when Santiago was seen leaving to allegedly deliver some product. He was pulled over on High Street and police say they found 95 bags of heroin and six grams of cocaine in his possession.
Around the same time, the raid team entered the house, which Santiago purchased in 2004 for $129,000, arresting Franco and seizing a sizable amount of illegal narcotics. Police say they found 44 grams of cocaine, 16 grams of heroin and 756 bags of heroin packaged for sale. Packaging materials, scales and drug paraphernalia were also found, police said.
Detectives also seized two cars they allege were used to deliver narcotics around the area.
Santiago and Franco were held awaiting arraignment in Springfield District Court.