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12 arrested following multi-agency investigation into cocaine trafficking

Posted on: December 20, 2021 - 10:51am
Items seized and police agencies involved in 7-month long cocaine trafficking investigation

GREENFIELD – After a seven-month investigation involving more than a dozen law enforcement organizations, police last week broke up an alleged cocaine trafficking syndicate that investigators believe distributed between 100 and 200 grams of cocaine a day through Franklin and Hampshire counties and the North Quabbin region. A dozen people from Greenfield, Deerfield, Montague, Ludlow, Charlemont and West Springfield were arrested in connection with the enterprise.
The investigation culminated Tuesday morning, Dec. 14, when members of the Northwestern District Anti-Crime Task Force coordinated the simultaneous execution of several search warrants seizing the alleged criminal organization’s stash of cocaine and other evidence.
Arrested were two brothers, Brandon Rice, 35, of 114 Prospect St., Hatfield, and Daniel Rice, 38, of West Springfield, who are the alleged leaders of the trafficking organization. Daniel Rice owns Dapper Dan’s Barbershop on Chapman Street in Greenfield, a location that was believed to be part of the alleged criminal operation. Each man pleaded not guilty in Greenfield District Court to charges of trafficking cocaine over 200 grams and conspiracy to violate the drug laws. Both men were ordered held on $500,000 cash bail and their cases continued until Jan. 14, 2022.
The investigation worked to uncover the organized syndicate’s alleged members, methods of daily distribution of trafficking, weight quantities of cocaine, and locations of operation. Since Tuesday, police executed additional search warrants and made additional arrests in connection with the operation.
At 25 Keegan Lane, Greenfield, the residence of David Caplice, police recovered over a kilogram of cocaine. At 22 Arch Street, Ludlow, the residence of Jason Nadeau, police recovered approximately four more kilograms of suspected cocaine. Police allege that these five kilograms of suspected cocaine represent both the source of supply for Brandon and Daniel Rice’s cocaine trafficking organization and their local stash of cocaine intended for distribution throughout Franklin and Hampshire Counties.

Criminal charges are based on probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.