The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force reports the arrest of Tysheed McPhee age 30, and Raquan Storts age 33 following an investigation into the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine within Dutchess County.
The investigation began after Drug Task Force agents identified two individuals allegedly working in conjunction to distribute fentanyl and cocaine throughout the county. The suspected activity spanned multiple jurisdictions, including the Town and City of Poughkeepsie, the Town of Fishkill, and the City of Beacon.
As part of the investigation, Agents conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from the defendants at various locations within Dutchess County. Agents also developed information that led them beyond county lines, including into the Capital Region, Westchester County, and New York City, in an effort to disrupt the transportation of narcotics into Dutchess County.
On the evening of April 29, Drug Task Force Agents, with assistance from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit (SWAT), apprehended Raquan Storts age 33 on the Mid-Hudson Bridge as he entered Dutchess County from the Capital Region.
Shortly thereafter, Drug Task Force agents, in coordination with the Poughkeepsie Joint SWAT team, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Service Unit (SWAT) team and Patrol Division, and the City of Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Recovery Unit, executed search warrants at the following locations:
The arrests and execution of the search warrants resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of fentanyl and U.S. Currency along with packaging, scales and other evidence related to the sale and distribution of narcotics. Tysheed McPhee was arrested at 142 Nina Place at the time the search warrant was executed.
Both defendants were charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree and later arraigned in the Town of Poughkeepsie Justice Court. Both defendants were released and ordered to return to the Town of Poughkeepsie Court on May 4 as required by NYS law. *Multiple charges are pending against both defendants related to the possession and sale of narcotics.
District Attorney Anthony Parisi said, “This investigation reflects the strength of coordinated, intelligence-driven law enforcement across multiple jurisdictions, working together to disrupt the flow of deadly narcotics into Dutchess County. Fentanyl continues to pose an extreme and ongoing threat to public safety, and those who traffic in it are contributing directly to addiction, overdoses, and loss of life in our communities.
I commend the members of the Drug Task Force, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, and our municipal partners for their proactive and relentless work in identifying, targeting, and apprehending individuals engaged in this dangerous activity. While New York law required the release of these defendants at arraignment, our Office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting these cases and holding those responsible fully accountable. We will continue to prioritize efforts that dismantle narcotics distribution networks and protect the residents of Dutchess County.”
As with any criminal case, the charges described above are merely accusations, and those named are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
REPORT A DRUG ACTIVITY
If anyone has information regarding these cases or about any other individuals selling drugs in Dutchess County, you are urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040, by emailing your tips to Drugtaskforcetips@gmail.com, or by submitting a tip through the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office website at www.dutchessda.org.
