Latest news with #Gulluni
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DoorDash stops offering restaurant linked to drug trafficking — after MassLive ordered lunch
A Coca-Cola, chips and a footlong breakfast sandwich landed on a MassLive reporter's doorstep on Wednesday afternoon. It wasn't the glossy New York-style sandwich pictured on DoorDash — but that was expected. What was surprising is that a sandwich arrived at all. Only 24 hours before, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni announced there had been 52 arrests in connection with three drug trafficking investigations. One of them involved Garcia Market, which officials described as a drug trafficking front. It was also the Forest Park bodega where the DoorDash order had been placed. For two years, as people continued to order sandwiches, hamburgers and snacks from Garcia Market, officials investigated the market for possibly being involved in another kind of business: drugs. The task force, Gulluni said, had a 'highly successful' and 'complicated' investigation 'focused on sophisticated operations.' 'A lot of these folks have been doing this for a while, and they know how to do it and not get caught,' Gulluni told the Republican. The investigation into the two neighboring businesses, Garcia Market at 344 Orange St. and Angel's Used Appliances at 167 White St. in Springfield, yielded more than 12,000 grams of cocaine, 530 grams of fentanyl and 15 firearms, Gulluni said. Parts of the investigation went across state lines into New York. And it was all centered around money. 'People involved in these kinds of investigations are making hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars on people's destruction and death,' Gulluni said. Gulluni believes the arrests will have an impact on the drug scene in Hampden County, deterring others from trying to do the same thing. However, the arrests haven't stop Garcia Market completely. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno began calling for the closure of the bodega Wednesday night after an inquiry from MassLive. 'Mayor Sarno States Garcia's Market Take Down Warrants a Shut Down!' a press release headline read. Sarno particularly called the market a 'den of iniquity' that he will task his legal staff to hit with a cease-and-desist order to stop ongoing business. 'I spoke with both District Attorney Anthony Gulluni and Police Superintendent Larry Akers earlier today to commend them and our State Police law enforcement officials for their continued brave and dedicated efforts to shut down this major drug and gun operation,' Sarno said. 'As you know, I have no patience nor tolerance with these poison dealing, gun-toting violent offenders and their business fronts are not welcomed here in Springfield.' The business has also since been shut down on DoorDash. MassLive alerted DoorDash to the restaurant's operations and use of fake photos Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday morning, DoorDash confirmed the bodega was removed from the platform. 'We have deactivated Garcia Deli from our platform, and encourage anyone who becomes aware of potential fraudulent activity to reach out to our Support team as we strive to promote a safe environment for the DoorDash community,' a DoorDash spokesperson told MassLive in an email. The store did not have accounts on GrubHub, Uber Eats or Instacart. Overall, the bodega had 3.7 out of five stars. MassLive would've rated the $8.99 bacon, egg and cheese slightly lower at a 2.7. It wasn't bad. But you're not missing anything by not being able to order it. Hot Table is better. The reviews were wide ranging, which included 50 public reviews on DoorDash. 'Amazing steak and cheese grinder especially the price for how big it is,' Jose V. wrote, giving it five stars. 'Highly disgusted, what a disappointment, after reading such positive reviews. I didn't recognize the bacon as it was shredded chopped up in small pieces and rubbery instead of crispy??? ... Hopefully I caught the cook on a bad day, but I won't order again,' Cindy C. wrote, giving it one star. 'Bread and egg was good, but there was more chunks of bacon lard than bacon meat. AND I MEAN CHUNKS. ... Food was hot,' James G. wrote, giving it two stars. The reviews weren't wrong either. There were chunks of bacon lard and the bacon was in small pieces. This probably would've felt like a completely acceptable sandwich if normal bacon had been used. Additionally, while the sandwich is not as beautiful as the photo the store used on DoorDash, a photo of the actual sandwich likely still would've attracted customers. Again, it wasn't terrible. Instead, Garcia Market used a photo widely shared on the internet, including on Reddit, of a completely different sandwich. Taking photos from other places was common marketing for Garcia Market's sandwich options on DoorDash, including its Tripleta Sandwich, a chicken sandwich and its hamburger. However, it appears to have taken its own photos of drinks, which were placed in front of a roll of paper towels (a paper towel was also included in the order). This type of fake marketing isn't allowed on DoorDash. An option at the bottom of each restaurant's page gives users the option to report a restaurant for using fake photos, which then gets reviewed by DoorDash. The area around Garcia Market and Angel's Used Appliances drew an inordinate level of police attention over the years, with 12 calls about people with guns, two calls for gunshot victims, 24 activations of the city's gunshot detection technology and 46 calls from the public about gunfire. For unsuspecting DoorDash drivers, there are safety measures in place. 'We take the safety of our entire community extremely seriously, and have put robust safeguards in place to help prevent bad actors from abusing our platform, including enhanced real-time monitoring technology and multi-layer verification processes for merchants,' a DoorDash spokesperson wrote in a statement. Some of the safety measures built into DoorDash's system includes a 'SafeDash Check-In' for if an order is taking longer than expected, safety reassurance calls to quickly connect to an ADT agent if needed and an emergency assistance button to silently request emergency assistance. DoorDash also uses Samdesk to alert drivers to real-time incidents. If something happens near a restaurant, operations will be suspended in that area. 'This includes canceling any active deliveries so Dashers can avoid the impacted area and stay out of harm's way,' DoorDash said in a statement to MassLive. 'We will also proactively check-in on Dashers near any impacted area to make sure they are okay.' CVS to close over 250 stores nationwide, including in Mass., Northeast Cause detailed for February train derailment in Wendell Tandem Bagel Co. bucks current business climate, opens 6th location in Ludlow Boston Police ID suspect in connection with hospital lobby stabbing Harvard commencement speaker says it's fitting to 'hear from an immigrant like me' Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Three WMass drug investigations net 45 guns, 52 arrests, heroin, fentanyl
SPRINGFIELD — Speaking before a table laiden with guns and bags of drugs, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni announced the result of three drug trafficking investigations Tuesday. The haul from several search warrants included thousands of grams of cocaine, fentanyl and heroin. The investigations netted 52 arrests. In comments, Gulluni said the law enforcement actions that included contributions from New York police, Springfield Police, Massachusetts State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration, would help the city be safer as it heads into the summer. Gulluni also said a task force had a 'highly successful' investigation into drug trafficking between here and New York City. He also said an investigation looked at two local businesses that he characterized as drug trafficking fronts. Those were Garcia Market at 344 Orange St. and Angel's Used Appliances at 167 White St. More details emerge from hazmat incident at Hayden Corp. on Monday morning Indian, Italian, Turkish? Dine Springfield Restaurant Week encourages you to try all 3, and more Crunch Fitness opens new location in East Longmeadow As years pile on, investors who bought into dream of the Scuderi engine get anxious Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Donation combats illicit narcotic trafficking
SPRINGFIELD — A decade-long effort to curb illicit drug trafficking in the region was recently buttressed by an investment in new equipment. Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni announced at a press conference on May 12 that his office and the State Police have received a $285,000 donation from the Massachusetts National Guard's counterdrug program to help combat transnational criminal organizations, violent gangs and other drug trafficking organizations in the area. Among the new equipment funded by the donation are a gray key — a tool for mobile devices that extracts critical information in narcotics investigations — and TruNarc, which is used for rapid analysis and identification of dangerous narcotics. It also funds a Cellebrite to help manage and organize data from mobile devices in narcotics investigations or prosecutions; as well as a handheld backscatter, which detects narcotics and other contraband through X-ray imagery in homes or vehicles. Additionally, the money finances an MX 908 drug analyzer for 'highly accurate' and 'more sensitive' analysis of dangerous drugs, even in trace amounts. In his remarks to the press, Gulluni said the new equipment will be accessible to his office's task forces, as well as local and state law enforcement. 'The danger of illicit narcotics to our communities has not abated,' Gulluni said. 'As drug dealers and traffickers adopt new methods and acquire new ways to infiltrate our communities, we must stay ahead of them and similarly continue to adapt and evolve our methods of investigation and interdiction.' Investment in new equipment comes at a time when the number of opioid-related fatal overdoses across the state has remained steady over the past several years. According to Gulluni, Massachusetts experienced between 2,100 to 2,300 opioid-related fatal overdoses over the last few years, and Hampden County specifically has seen an increase in recent years. In 2015, Gulluni's office signed a memorandum of understanding with the state's National Guard to tackle drug trafficking problems that are exacerbating the opioid crisis. The partnership was renewed in 2018. 'I have said many times, we have to aid and support those suffering from the disease of addiction, but we must also simultaneously deter and arrest those who profit from it,' Gulluni said. The National Guard's counterdrug program has helped law enforcement in each state combat illicit drug trafficking since its inception in 1989, according to Gary Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard. 'We in the guard, we look at these drugs now as weapons,' Keefe said. 'We're very proud to do what we can to continue to support the mission of getting rid of this and making sure that Hampden County and the neighborhoods in Hampden County are safer places for people to live and raise families.' Gulluni mentioned that the National Guard's global reach is 'a huge aspect of assistance' on his office's work in the realm of 'bigger narcotics investigations.' As part of the program, the guard has assigned specialized personnel to support both the Hampden DA's SAFE Narcotics Task Force and the State Police's Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team, according to his office. 'Some of the analysis, linguistic services, etc., are things that locally or even at the state level we might not have access to,' Gulluni said. 'So, the federal government through the National Guard can provide that here at the very organic local level to assist us and collaborate to make sure that we're doing our best work.' Aside from Gulluni's partnership with the state police and National Guard, his office also works with the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a regional organization that provides funding resources, facilitates and enhances coordination of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in designated areas. David Kelley, the deputy director of NEHIDTA, said the organization runs several projects to combat illicit drug trafficking, including its domestic highway enforcement program. 'The I-91 corridor that travels through this state and this county is patrolled by the Massachusetts State Police,' Kelley said. 'I will tell you that their efforts on [I-]91 to intercept and prevent drugs from entering these communities is nothing less than stellar, and I am very, very proud that we were able to play a role here today.' Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hampden DA highlights prevention programs at Holyoke Taxpayers Association annual meeting
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni emphasized the importance of early intervention and community partnerships during remarks at the Holyoke Taxpayers Association's annual meeting. Economic growth slowing in the U.S. so far this year, according to recent study The event was held on April 17 at The Delaney House. Gulluni spoke to an audience of business owners, civic leaders, and elected officials. Gulluni outlined his office's prevention and intervention strategies aimed at reducing crime and promoting public safety. He underscored the significance of engaging youth and steering them away from the criminal justice system before issues escalate. 'Public safety doesn't begin in the courtroom — it begins in our communities, in our schools, and in the lives of young people,' Gulluni said. 'Our prevention work is about investing in better outcomes, and Holyoke is a key partner in that effort.' The DA's office has implemented a number of initiatives focused on providing support and mentorship to young people, particularly through community-based programs. Gulluni noted that Holyoke continues to play a vital role in the success of those efforts, serving as a central hub for outreach and intervention. During a brief Q&A following his remarks, Gulluni fielded questions on topics ranging from reducing recidivism to business involvement in the Emerging Adult Court of Hope (EACH) program. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hampden DA and CrossFit host charity fundraiser for TJ O'Connor
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Hampden County District Attorney called on all animal lovers and fitness fans alike on Sunday. Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni is using his gym to not only get fit, but to give back, and 80 other athletes joined him in hour-long workout sessions. 'Cocktails for a Cause' helps to support cancer survivors in need 'Got some rowing in, some burpees in, a light dumbbell for people, and then a more challenging gymnastics workout with a lot of scaling options, which is what CrossFit is all about,' said Bree Wiater, owner of CrossFit Rift Valley. It's all for the second annual charity fundraiser hosted by Gulluni and the owners of CrossFit Rift Valley in West Springfield. 'Of course, for the Thomas J. O'Connor Foundation to help animals, to prevent cruelty, make sure that animals are cared for in our region,' Gulluni said. DA Gulluni is hoping they can raise thousands of dollars to support the homeless animals at the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. That money would go towards offsetting emergency surgeries, salaries of some of the employees, and any medical expenses that the city of Springfield cannot provide. This is why people of all skill levels joined in on Sunday. 'I have a dog, I volunteered actually my whole life in the Marines down in Ozone County, Jacksonville for animal shelters,' said CrossFit member Jordan Majane. 'So any way that we can get some recognition to getting some dogs some homes, I'm completely happy with it, I support that.' Fitness fans weren't the only ones supporting the cause. If attendees weren't into working out, there were 14 local food trucks, vendors, and even raffles available at the event. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
