Undercover Sting At Northeast Home Led To Bust Of Interstate Fentanyl, Crack Trafficking Operation

NORTHEAST, NY — Officials say a major drug trafficking operation run from a Dutchess County home has been disrupted,

A Town of Northeast narcotics investigation near the Connecticut border led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man after Dutchess County Drug Task Force agents executed a search warrant, according to the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office.

The office reported that Schuyler Houis was arrested in connection with alleged narcotic sales in the Town of Northeast. Drug Task Force agents were alerted to what the district attorney’s office described as significant drug activity consistent with narcotics sales at a residence in the town.

According to the district attorney’s office, agents identified the residence and the dealer, then began purchasing fentanyl and crack cocaine from the defendant on multiple occasions.

Investigators said the drugs were being brought from Waterbury, Connecticut, to New York by Houis and sold from his home.

On Friday, Drug Task Force members, with assistance from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit (SWAT) and the Poughkeepsie Joint SWAT team, executed a search warrant, according to the district attorney’s office. The search resulted in the seizure of narcotics and other evidence related to narcotics sales, the office reported.

Houis was arrested at the scene and charged with one count of felony criminal sale of a controlled substance, and one count of felony criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was later arraigned in Town of Northeast court and released to appear at a later date .

The district attorney’s office said other charges are pending related to the sale of narcotics.

"No part of Dutchess County is immune from the devastating impact of illegal drugs," District Attorney Anthony Parisi said, "Whether narcotics are being sold in one of our cities, our suburban communities, or in a rural town near the state line, our Drug Task Force will follow the evidence and aggressively pursue those responsible. Fentanyl and crack cocaine destroy lives, fuel addiction, and threaten the safety of our communities."

The DA said fact that this case involved interstate drug trafficking, shows the importance of cooperation between jurisdictions,

"This investigation demonstrates that geography will not provide protection to those who bring dangerous drugs into Dutchess County for sale," Parisi said. "We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to identify these operations, shut them down, and hold those responsible accountable."

The district attorney’s office said anyone with information about this case or other drug sales in Dutchess County can contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040, email Drugtaskforcetips@gmail.com, or submit a tip through the district attorney’s office website.