Business card carrying dealers arrested

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Two men were arrested Thursday afternoon after police learned of their heroin distribution operation out of 511 Hancock Street.

Springfield Police Sergeant John Delaney told 22News that detectives learned that dealers 49 year-old Rafael Alvarez of Hancock St and 41 year-old Miguel Santana of Hickory St would make deliveries of heroin after customers would call them on their cell phones.

The bust was made when officers interrupted a drug deal being made by Rafael Alvarez at Locust and Mill St.

Delaney says that 22 bags of heroin were found on Alvarez, as well as “business cards” that contained his number and street name, “Juanito”.

Delaney says officers then went to his address with a search warrant and arrested Santana, Alvarez’s partner. According to Delaney officers seized $2,198 in cash, more heroin packaged for sale along with marijuana packaged for sale. They also seized more business cards for the drug dealing duo.

Delaney says the location of arrest was well within 100 feet of Johnny Appleseed Park.

Alvarez and Santana face numerous charges including possession of heroin with intent to distribute, violation of a drug free park zone, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.