POUGHKEEPSIE — A 30-year-old man was arrested Thursday following a narcotics investigation in the City of Poughkeepsie, authorities said. Members of the Dutchess County Drug Task Force arrested Justin James during the execution of a search warrant at an apartment in the Harriet Tubman Complex, according to officials. The raid stemmed from an ongoing investigation into the sale of narcotics and dangerous drugs in the Poughkeepsie and Pleasant Valley areas.
Investigators identified James as a suspected drug dealer operating in Dutchess County. Undercover agents conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from James at various locations throughout the county, authorities said.
On the morning of April 9, task force agents, assisted by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Recovery Unit, executed the search warrant and took James into custody. A search of the apartment resulted in the seizure of multiple packages of crack cocaine.
James was charged with two felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and additional charges are pending, according to Drug Task Force Coordinator Det. Sgt. Adam Harris. He was arraigned in City of Poughkeepsie Court and released under the supervision of Dutchess County Probation, as required by state law.
Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said the arrest highlights ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
“Drug trafficking continues to pose a direct threat to the safety and stability of our communities, and those who choose to engage in the sale of narcotics in Dutchess County will be identified, investigated, and held accountable,” Parisi said. “This arrest is the result of coordinated, proactive enforcement efforts by our Drug Task Force and law enforcement partners, working together to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs into our neighborhoods.”
Authorities are asking anyone with information about drug activity in Dutchess County to contact the Drug Task Force’s confidential tip line at 845-463-6040, email , or submit a tip through the .
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