Busted On The Mid-Hudson Bridge: Suspected Fentanyl, Cocaine Dealer Nabbed On Span

DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY — A dramatic arrest disrupted a Hudson Valley drug trafficking operation, according to police.

The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office Drug Task Force says that 30-year-old Tysheed McPhee and 33-year-old Raquan Storts were arrested after an investigation into the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine within Dutchess County.

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The investigation kicked off after Drug Task Force agents identified two suspects the believe were working together to distribute fentanyl and cocaine throughout the county, including the Town and City of Poughkeepsie, the Town of Fishkill, and the City of Beacon.

During the investigation, undercover agents made several purchases of narcotics from the suspects at various locations within Dutchess County.

Agents also found information that led them beyond county lines, including into the Westchester County, the Capital Region, and NYC, in an effort to disrupt the transport of narcotics into Dutchess County.

On the evening of April 29, Drug Task Force agents, with assistance from the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Unit (SWAT), captured Storts on the Mid-Hudson Bridge, as he entered Dutchess County from the Capital Region.

Soon after, agents, in coordination with the Poughkeepsie Joint SWAT team, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Emergency Service Unit (SWAT) team and Patrol Division, and the City of Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Recovery Unit, executed search warrants at three locations, including; Poughkeepsie Commons, on Hudson Ave in the City of Poughkeepsie; Harriet Tubman Terrace Apartments, on Nina Place in the City of Poughkeepsie and Franklin Street in the City of Poughkeepsie.

"This investigation reflects the strength of coordinated, intelligence-driven law enforcement across multiple jurisdictions, working together to disrupt the flow of deadly narcotics into Dutchess County, " Parisi said. "Fentanyl continues to pose an extreme and ongoing threat to public safety, and those who traffic in it are contributing directly to addiction, overdoses, and loss of life in our communities."

McPhee was arrested at Nina Place at the time the search warrant was executed, cops said.

The arrests and execution of the search warrants led to the seizure of fentanyl and cash, along with packaging, scales and other evidence used in the sale and distribution of narcotics, according to police.

McPhee and Storts were each charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, and later arraigned in the Town of Poughkeepsie Justice Court.

Both were released and were scheduled to return to the Town of Poughkeepsie Court on May 4.

Officials say that several charges are pending against both men related to the possession and sale of narcotics.

"I commend the members of the Drug Task Force, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, and our municipal partners for their proactive and relentless work in identifying, targeting, and apprehending individuals engaged in this dangerous activity," Parisi said. "While New York law required the release of these defendants at arraignment, our Office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting these cases and holding those responsible fully accountable. We will continue to prioritize efforts that dismantle narcotics distribution networks and protect the residents of Dutchess County."

Anyone with information about these cases or about any others selling drugs in Dutchess County, is urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040, by emailing tips to this email address, or by submitting a tip through the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office website.