Undercover Sting Nabs Fentanyl, Meth Dealer Armed With Loaded Gun: DA

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — An ongoing effort to take dangerous drugs off the streets has led to another high-profile arrest by undercover officers.

The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force says it has been investigating the sale of narcotics and dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine (crystal meth) in the area of Poughkeepsie known as the "South Side."

Drug Task Force agents identified a "dangerous" drug dealer as 48-year-old Haitham A. Dasan. Agents began purchasing narcotics from Dasan when they learned he was armed with a handgun.

On Thursday, around noon, agents found Dasan in the area of Hooker Ave. When he was taken into custody, he was found to be in possession of a large amount of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, in addition to a loaded .32 caliber handgun.

Dasan was taken to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office where he was charged with felony third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell (narcotic drug), felony third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell (methamphetamine), felony third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and felony second degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Dasan was later arraigned in the City of Poughkeepsie Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail without bail.

The Drug Task Force was assisted by the City of Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Recovery Unit in this investigation.

The Drug Task Force says that it will rapidly respond to reports of narcotic and dangerous drug dealers walking the streets armed with handguns. The public is urged to contact the Drug Task Force with any information regarding the sale or manufacturing of narcotics and dangerous drugs as well as those armed with illegal firearms. The task force says that keeping Dutchess County safe is their number one priority.

If anyone has information regarding this case or about any other people selling drugs in Dutchess County, they are urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or send an email to this address.