Eleven kilos of cocaine, nine pounds of marijuana and $2,500 in cash was spread out on a table in the Hampden County Hall of Justice. All of it is evidence from a six-month investigation that ended by shutting down of the largest drug distribution ring in Hampden County.

"This is perhaps the most successful investigation we have been involved with," Hampden County District Attorney William Bennett said.

As of Wednesday, seven men involved in the cocaine distribution ring were under arrest on drug trafficking charges. Those men are Barry Smith, Vincent Washington, Jay Washington, Cory Palm, Ricarte Burgos, Jeffrey Rivera and Johnier Jimenez. Police said Vito Resto, 40, is still on the loose. He is on federal parole and considered armed and dangerous.

"This organization that these investigators have dismantled are responsible for bringing in over 100 Kilos of cocaine into Hampden county during the course of a year," Bennett said.

One kilo of cocaine is worth roughly $1 million. Police said the arrests are a big step toward making city streets safer.

"There has been a lot of information developed linking some of the violence that we saw in our area over the past two months to this particular operation," Bennett said.

"People ask, where does the violence originate in Springfield. It originates with this product right in front of you. That's where the bloodshed comes from, that's where the gun violence comes from, and that's where the gangs coerce around these drugs. So this work and the result of it is very important," Springfield Police Commissioner William Fitchet said.

It took the help of law enforcement from surrounding cities and towns. The investigation even spread to other states where it is still continuing.

"So goes Springfield, so goes the rest of the valley and this is just a shining example of inter-agency cooperation that you see here today," West Springfield Police Chief Tom Burke said.