Multi-Agency Raid Of Hudson Valley Home Leads To Arrest Of 56-Year-Old Fentanyl, Cocaine Dealer: DA

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A Hudson Valley drug trafficking operation has been disrupted in a big way, according to authorities.

The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office says that its Drug Task Force arrested 56-year-old Dondi Johnson, of the City of Poughkeepsie, related to sales of narcotic and dangerous drugs in the area.

The investigation began after the Drug Task Force received complaints about fentanyl and cocaine sales in the Whinfield Street area, as well as in other areas in the city.

Agents purchased crack cocaine from Johnson which was later tested and confirmed to be contaminated with fentanyl.

On Thursday, Drug Task Force agents executed a search warrant at Johnson's home, along with the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Emergency Service Unit (SWAT), the Poughkeepsie Joint SWAT team, NYS Parole, Dutchess County Probation, and the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and Poughkeepsie Patrol Bureaus.

Johnson was taken into custody without incident and Drug Task Force agents secured additional evidence related to narcotics sales.

He was charged with felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. The DA's Office says that several additional charges are pending against Johnson related to the investigation.

He was arraigned in the City of Poughkeepsie Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center, formerly known as the Dutchess County Jail, without bail.

"Fentanyl has been the cause of hundreds of drug overdose and deaths in Dutchess County and mixing fentanyl with cocaine is deadly," the DA's Office said. "Dealers who choose to make money at the cost of others losing their lives will be dealt with swiftly and prosecuted without hesitation."