Putnam Sheriff Arrests Men from NYC in Heroin Drug Bust

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of two New York City residents on narcotics-related criminal charges stemming from their alleged involvement in the sales of heroin throughout Putnam County.

“Heroin has become a major problem throughout our country,” said Smith. “We are asking for the public’s help in combating illegal drug use and trafficking in our county by calling the Narcotics Enforcement Unit Hotline, (845) 225-DRUG and providing us with any vital information. All calls are confidential.”

Members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit who conducted a month-long investigation into recent sales of heroin were able to purchase the opiate on five occasions from one suspect and one time from the other.

Additionally, investigators set up controlled deliveries where large amounts of heroin were delivered to locations in the county. The first controlled delivery netted more than ½ ounce of heroin totaling 236 glassine bags of the drug. On four other occasions, 190 glassine bags of heroin were delivered.

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Members of the Narcotics Enforcement Unit arrested the two suspected dealers Jan. 2. They are identified as: 29 year-old Tiquan Lewis and 25 year-old Donnell Norman, both New York City residents.

Lewis was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, 5 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and 4 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.

Norman was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree and 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.

Both were originally arraigned before Carmel Town Justice Joseph Spofford, acting on behalf of the Putnam Valley Town Justice Court. They were sent to the Putnam County Correctional Facility without bail.

A subsequent bail hearing was conducted in Putnam County Court. As a result of that hearing, Mr. Norman’s bail was set at $500,000 – cash or bond. Mr. Lewis, however, was sent back to the correctional facility without bail.

The investigation is continuing.

Related:

• From Experimentation to Addiction: A Young Man’s Story of Recovery
• The Silent Killer: What You Need to Know About Heroin
• Sheriff Arrests Southeast Man in Heroin Bust
• Suspected Heroin Overdoses Cause Deaths in Westchester, Putnam