POUGHKEEPSIE — The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force announced the completion of Operation DC Powder Outage, a multi-week investigation that resulted in nine arrests and the seizure of cocaine and fentanyl.
The operation targeted the distribution of cocaine and fentanyl throughout Dutchess County in response to a recent surge in overdose incidents linked to cocaine laced with fentanyl.
Drug Task Force agents conducted undercover purchases and operations that led to the arrests and drug seizures, disrupting supply chains in multiple areas of Dutchess County.
Multiple search warrants were executed by agents with assistance from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Service Unit in Poughkeepsie and the Town of Hyde Park.
During the operation, agents seized quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, cocaine mixed with fentanyl, drug sale packaging, scales and other items related to drug distribution.
District Attorney Anthony Parisi said fentanyl continues to be the deadliest threat facing communities, and the danger is multiplied when mixed with cocaine.
The task force worked with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Patrol and Detective Bureaus, police departments from Poughkeepsie, Beacon, Hyde Park, East Fishkill, Poughkeepsie Town and Fishkill, and the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit.
Nine individuals were arrested and charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, both class B felonies.
Lamar Johnson, 38, was arrested Aug. 11 and released to probation supervision.
Oliver T. Hassell, 35, was arrested Aug. 13 and remanded to Dutchess County Jail.
Rashard Haile, 22, was arrested Aug. 15 and remanded to Dutchess County Jail.
Gill Graves, 65, was arrested Aug. 13 and remanded to Dutchess County Jail.
Alfredo Schontten, 52, was arrested Aug. 14 and released to probation supervision.
Christopher Fryar, 22, was arrested Aug. 13 and released to probation supervision.
Amanda M. Crain, 39, was arrested Aug. 12 and remanded to Dutchess County Jail.
Jessica M. Ostrom, 44, was arrested Aug. 27 and released to probation supervision.
Vincent Lieggi, 60, was arrested Aug. 20 and remanded to Dutchess County Jail.
Anyone with information about drug sales in Dutchess County can contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or email [email protected].
