4 arrested in raid on Springfield "crack house"

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield police have arrested four men following a raid on an alleged “crack house” in the Old Hill neighborhood Tuesday evening.

Police Sgt. John Delaney told 22News that Jerry Frank, 44, Louis Butler, 63, Harold Wilson, 23, and Curtis Dudley, 52, all of Springfield, were arrested during the raid on 194 Hancock Street.

According to Delaney, neighborhood residents had been complaining about drug activity in the area, and police investigated the address for a month. This week, narcotics detectives received a search warrant for the first and second floor apartments of the two-family house.

Delaney says that around 7:00 Tuesday night, police arrived outside to find people screaming “Cops!” and throwing crack cocaine to the ground. Officers used a battering ram to get inside, and prevent any evidence from being flushed down the toilet.

Officers managed to find 16 grams of crack cocaine, along with packing material, drug paraphernalia, and cash.

Frank, Butler, Wilson, and Dudley are all charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and violation of a drug-free school zone. They are scheduled to be arraigned in Springfield District Court.