HOLYOKE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Three suspects have been arrested in Holyoke on drug and other charges after separate investigations in the city.

On Wednesday, 33-year-old Justin Pabon of Springfield was allegedly involved in a fight, during which he showed a gun, according to Holyoke Police. An investigation into the incident led to the application for, and granting of, an arrest warrant for Pabon.

Around noon Friday, Pabon was seen walking in the area of High Street and Appleton Street. Once he saw police, he allegedly ran away and tried to hide in a High Street business. Investigators went into that business and found Pabon hiding in a bathroom. He was arrested as he was allegedly trying to flush suspected fentanyl down a toilet. Police also seized additional suspected fentanyl – in total, approximately 823 bags - and a loaded gun.

Pabon is facing several charges including fentanyl trafficking (more than 10 grams), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of ammunition without an FID card, breaking and entering into a building in the daytime for a felony, and tampering with evidence, as well as charges related to the arrest warrant of two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, threatening to commit a crime, assault and battery on a family or household member, assault and battery, and violation of an abuse order.

Then, on Sunday, Holyoke Police said officers responded to the area of 31 Franklin Street around 9:45 p.m. Sunday for reported drug activity. They arrived and reportedly saw two people, identified as 27-year-old Eddie Concepcion III of Holyoke and 41-year-old Radames Escalera of Chicopee, in an alley.

Investigators recovered crack-cocaine and suspected heroin or fentanyl from Concepcion, more than $1,000 in cash, a lighter in the shape of a gun from Concepcion, and a BB gun from Escalera’s pocket. Two hand-held radios, which police explained are often used by “lookouts” to alert those involved in the drug trade of a police presence, were also seized. In total, 160 vials of crack-cocaine and 87 bags of suspected heroin were recovered.

Concepcion was arrested and charged with conspiracy to violate drug law, possession with the intent to distribute a Class A drug, possession with the intent to distribute a Class B drug, possession of a Class A drug, possession of a Class B drug, and trespassing. Escalera was also arrested and charged with conspiracy to violate drug law and trespassing.

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