An FBI affidavit identifies Diaz as the leader of the Holyoke La Familia, further stating that Diaz was a transplant who moved into a four-story tenement at 556 South Bridge St. in Holyoke and established it as the gang's headquarters and prime drug distribution point.
Updates a story posted at 6:45 a.m. Friday.
SPRINGFIELD -- Federal, state and local law enforcement officials disrupted a La Familia street gang stronghold in South Holyoke Friday, seizing drugs and guns from high- to mid-ranking members, according to court records unsealed in U.S. District Court.
Eleven men were arrested by members of the Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force early Friday morning in a city-wide series of raids on charges including heroin and cocaine possession and distribution, and illegal possession of firearms.
The men arrested were: Kelly Arzate, 29; Francisco Diaz, 34; Antonio Caraballo, 35; Luzander Montoya, 29; Miguel Medina, 30; William Rodriguez, 28; Pedro Colon, 31; Reynaldo Figueroa, 27; Miguel Alcazar, 23; and Edison Lajara, 25, all of Holyoke; and Charlie Santiago, 32, of Springfield.
Seven were indicted in federal court while four more were charged in Hampden Superior Court. Several defendants face decades in prison while Arzate faces up to life, according to U.S. Dept. of Justice officials.
Two men and a woman arrested on warrants in the raids denied drug charges in Hampden Superior Court Friday.
Edward Torres, 100 Hampshire St., Holyoke, denied charges for two counts of distribution of heroin (subsequent offense). Bail was set at $25,000 cash.
Luis Santos of 556 South Bridge St. denied three counts of distribution of heroin. Bail was set at $15,000 cash.
Yolanda Vargas of 556 South Bridge St. denied a charge of one count of distribution of heroin (subsequent offense). Bail was set at $1,500 cash.
An FBI affidavit identifies Francisco Diaz as the leader of the Holyoke chapter of La Familia, further stating that Diaz was a transplant who moved into a four-story tenement at 556 South Bridge St. in the South Holyoke neighborhood and established it as the gang's headquarters and prime drug distribution point.
Undercover investigators and informants made "controlled buys" of drugs from the defendants over a three-phase investigation, according to the affidavit.
Holyoke police chief James Neiswanger is scheduled to make a statement about the operation at a 3 p.m. press conference.
Staff writer Buffy Spencer contributed to this post. More details will be added as our reporting continues. Below, a copy of the detention affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Mark S. Karangekis.