10/20/2026
Two Arrested, More Than 8,000 Bags of Fentanyl Seized Following Holyoke Drug Trafficking Investigation
October 20, 2026 – Holyoke, Massachusetts – Two men are facing drug trafficking charges following a coordinated investigation by the Hampden District Attorney's Office's Strategic Action and Focused Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force and Hampden County Narcotics Task Force. The investigation resulted in the seizure of more than 8,000 bags of fentanyl, co***ne, and approximately $18,000 in cash.
On October 1, 2026, at approximately 8:40 a.m., members of both task forces, along with assisting law enforcement agencies, executed seven court-authorized search warrants targeting four locations, two vehicles, and one cellphone as part of an investigation into suspected drug trafficking activity in the greater Holyoke area.
The investigation, led by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit, resulted in the arrests of:
• Brian Marrero, 34, of Holyoke, charged with trafficking in 100 grams or more of co***ne.
• Herman Gomez, 26, of Holyoke, charged with trafficking in more than 200 grams of he**in and trafficking in more than 10 grams of fentanyl.
During the ex*****on of the search warrants, investigators seized approximately 8,250 bags of fentanyl, weighing an estimated 231 grams, 121 grams of co***ne, and approximately $18,474 in U.S. currency, pending an official count.
The search warrants were executed without incident at locations on Maple Street, Merkel Terrace, and St. James Avenue in Holyoke.
“The amount of fentanyl seized during this operation underscores the scale of the drug trafficking activity our law enforcement partners are working to disrupt,” said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “These investigations require coordination, persistence, and a shared commitment to protecting our communities. I commend the investigators and agencies involved for their work in bringing this case forward.”
The operation involved the SAFE Task Force, Hampden County Narcotics Task Force, Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit-West, Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section-West, and K-9 Unit, along with the Holyoke Police Department, Holyoke Narcotics Unit, and Hampden County Sheriff's Office.