Police have arrested a fifth suspect on drug distribution charges in connection with the November raid in Springfield in which local, state and federal law enforcement descended on the town, drawing praise from the governor.
James Hines, 53, was arrested last week in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, according to court documents, and charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine. As of Thursday, he was being held at Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans.
In November, police arrested Jonathan “Jose” Castro, Anibal “Papi” Castro Sr. and Derek Arie, alleging they conspired to distribute crack and fentanyl in Vermont. Police also later arrested Michael Cotter on the same charges.
A sixth person, whose name is redacted, has now been added to the indictment, indicating that authorities may have an additional suspect not yet in custody.
A motion for Hines’s detention, filed in U.S. District Court, indicates that back in October, he was pulled over while driving in Northampton, Massachusetts, with Cotter as a passenger. During that traffic stop, Massachusetts State Police discovered 1,000 bags of suspected fentanyl, as well as a small amount of crack, according to the motion.
“Hines told law enforcement that he made the trip to Massachusetts to pick up drugs, specifically cocaine, to then bring back to Springfield, Vermont,” the motion said.
Hines has three prior drug possession convictions, according to court documents.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Vermont did not immediately answer a request for comment, nor did Springfield Police Chief Jeff Burnham.
Back in November, the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Homeland Security raided houses at 70, 77 and 78 Valley St. in Springfield. The road, which connects to the heart of Springfield, has been the center of local crime in recent months. Shootings, drugs and the discovery of a pipe bomb have all resulted in arrests.