SPRINGFIELD - The arrest of five people and the seizure of more than a kilogram of heroin on Tuesday likely put a dent in a major drug distribution ring in greater Springfield, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said.

The arrests in Chicopee, Springfield and West Springfield resulted in the seizure of 30,000 packets of heroin, plus 400 grams of pure heroin, and $12,500 in cash.

Calling the ring part of a "significant and sophisticated distribution network," Gulluni said the arrests and the seizure of that amount of drugs is "not insignificant."

"This operation is hurt long-term or permanently," he said. "We will continue to chip away."

Gullini, along with state police Capt. Christopher Wilcox and Springfield Narcotics Unit Capt. Brian Keenan, disclosed information about the raid and arrests to members of the press.

On the table in front of the speaker's podium, detectives stacked several bricks of packaged heroin, packaging materials and cash. The raw heroin was wrapped in a plastic bag that read, "Thank you for shopping here." The packets were stamped with "Versace" and "Renegade."

Police executed six search warrants at two residences in Springfield, two vehicles, the EconoLodge in West Springfield, and Chicopee Self Storage in Chicopee.

One day before the arrests, police responded to a fatal overdose at the EconoLodge and found a 30-year-old woman dead. Police found Versace-stamped heroin packets in her room.

Law enforcement involved included the Massachusetts State Police, Springfield police, Hampden County Sheriff's Department, and the federal Bureau of Homeland Security.

Gulluni said the investigation began when state police assigned to his office learned a large amount of heroin was being brought into the area.

On Tuesday morning, detectives witnessed what Gulluni called a drug transaction by the self storage facility. From there, they followed a car and eventually stopped it on Interstate 391.

A police dog alerted police to the presence of drugs in the car, and a search revealed 400 grams of pure heroin, 600 packets of heroin ready for sale and $12,500 in cash. The pure heroin, when processed for street sales, would be equal to 20,000 packets, he said.

Arrested and charged with trafficking heroin in excess of 200 grams and conspiracy to violate drug laws were Fidel Gil, 41, of Hartford, and Paola Mercedes Reyes-Desantos, 23, address unknown.

Conviction of trafficking in excess of 200 grams carries a mandatory sentence of at least 12 years.

Those arrests allowed officers to obtain district court warrants to search two Springfield houses, two cars, a room at the EconoLodge, and Chicopee Self Storage, Gulluni said.

Police found 1,900 packets and $1,200 in the hotel room and in one car in the parking lot. At Chicopee Self Storage, they found 30,000 packets, an estimated 750 grams.

Arrested as a result of those searches were:

Christian Rivera, 22, of Springfield, charged with trafficking heroin in excess of 200 grams, possession of ammunition without a firearms identification card, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Cassandra Cardona, 21, of Springfield, charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Anthony Guadalupe, 22, address not known, charged with trafficking heroin between 18 and 36 grams and trafficking heroin in excess of 200 grams.

All five were expected to be arraigned in Springfield District Court on Wednesday.

Gulluni said there is the possibility of addition charges.

If investigators determine a direct link between the overdose death and any of those arrested, Gulluni said his office could pursue manslaughter charges, but finding that link may prove difficult. "That is probably an uphill battle," he said.

Having a stamp that matched the label on the heroin found at the overdose is probably not enough of a link to prove in court that any of those arrested directly sold the heroin to the woman, he said.

This distribution ring was acting as a supplier to mid-level and street-level dealers, he said. He called it "a high-level operation" that would take raw heroin, mill and package it, and then get it to the dealers for street distribution.

The dealers are taking advantage of people with addiction issues to make money, he said. Dealing drugs is not considered by itself a violent crime, but Gulluni said he feels that it should be.

"This is a crime that results in death. I consider it a violent crime," he said. "The distribution of this type of product results in death and destruction."