For More Information Contact:
Sinead McLoughlin: smcloughlin@dutchessny.gov
Today, District Attorney Anthony Parisi announces the successful completion of Operation Fast and Furious conducted by Dutchess County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force. Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said, “The drug overdose crisis touches every family, every neighborhood, and every corner of our community. We, in law enforcement, are committed to do our part to fight it. The success of Operation Fast and Furious is a direct result of the tremendous collaboration between our dedicated Drug Task Force and my team of Assistant District Attorneys in the Violent Crime and Dangerous Drug Unit. Together, we are not just enforcing the law but working together to take those who peddle poison off our streets. This collective effort ensures that we address the immediate dangers these dangerous drugs cause in our community, and it strengthens our resolve to create a safer, healthier future for everyone.”
Over the past several years, dangerous drugs have had a devasting impact evidenced by the sharp increase in drug overdose deaths that have taken too many lives in our county. Unfortunately, Dutchess County has been among the leaders in New York State in overdose deaths related to narcotics and dangerous drugs (cocaine, fentanyl, methenamines, and opioids) for several years. In fact, in 2020, Dutchess County led the State in drug overdose deaths per capita exceeding the statewide average by 18 deaths per 100,000 population. Between 2019 and 2023 approximately 550 people died of a drug overdose in Dutchess County compared to 39 homicides during that same period. In 2023, Dutchess County had 97 deaths related to narcotics and dangerous drugs.
Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said, “This is not a challenge that law enforcement can tackle alone. The fight against drug addiction and overdose deaths requires a collaborative, multifaceted approach. It involves law enforcement, healthcare providers, community organizations, and our legal system working together. I thank every partner who helps in this fight against addiction and assists with prevention and education in our community. Your work does not go unnoticed or unappreciated but today I want to highlight the exceptional work of our Drug Task Force.”
District Attorney Parisi is a proponent for intelligence led policing and smart prosecution. In today’s evolving landscape of crime, law enforcement and criminal justice, the integration of intelligence led policing and smart prosecution is critical in building safer communities. This approach focuses on data-driven strategies that enable law enforcement to proactively identify and prevent crime before it occurs while smart prosecution ensures that resources are directed toward cases that have the greatest potential to positively impact public safety. To combat this epidemic, the Dutchess Couty Drug Task Force took a thorough look at how drug investigations were approached from 2019 to 2022 and examined the data relating to overdose deaths to proactively see what could be done differently. As a result of this review the Drug Task Force implemented an Intelligence Based Policing Approach to narcotic and dangerous drug investigations and enforcement. This new approach involved a 7-point plan which was implemented from April 2023 to October 31, 2024.
1. Analyze demographical data to identify “Hot Spots” where dangerous drug dealers are known to operate. “Hot Spots” are identified by reviewing arrest data of drug users for minor offenses, overdose death data, confidential source data, and patrol level law enforcement source data.
2. Identify the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Dealers and begin an investigation immediately. This included ALL dealers from street level dealers to those dealers distributing large quantities of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs throughout Dutchess County.
3. Utilize technology and cutting-edge investigative techniques to capture evidence the District Attorney’s Office can use to prosecute and convict a Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Dealer. This technology has significantly improved officer safety for Agents in the field and allows for the collection of a significant amount of evidence against narcotic and dangerous drug dealers.
4. Change from long-term investigations to rapid short-term investigations to get the dealers in custody as fast as possible while simultaneously building an ironclad case against the defendant. The investigations changed from months and sometimes years to be concluded within weeks of being initiated. This was accomplished by approaching each investigation with all members of the Drug Task Force assigned different tasks. Instead of one lead investigator being assigned, all 7 are assigned to the investigation and the Assistant Coordinator and Coordinator are tasked with the coordination and oversight of the investigation until it is closed.
5. Expedite search warrant applications and the execution of those warrants. Search Warrants are acted upon by the DTF rapidly allowing for the collection of evidence, seizure of narcotics and the arrests of drug dealers. Once a case is built against an individual or individuals the Drug Task Force acts immediately.
6. Enhance public notifications off all Narcotic Drug Dealers apprehended by the Drug Task Force to develop new information on the cases being investigated and to be transparent with the public regarding what dealers are being arrested.
7. Review and evaluate this approach after 18 months to determine what changes are needed if any to improve operations.
“Public safety has been one of my top priorities, and over the past year, we have worked hard to ensure the Drug Task Force has the tools they need to succeed and prioritized giving them every possible advantage in this fight,” said Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino. “Between the heroic actions of the Task Force, and the work of our Department of Mental Health and the many community agencies who are working to together to address this epidemic, we have created a system that not only addresses the immediate crisis, but also provides lasting support for those on the road to recovery. I commend the work of Detective Sergeant Adam Harris and the entire DTF, as well as the leadership of District Attorney Parisi and Sheriff Imperati for their tireless efforts that have resulted in this incredible achievement.”
The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force Operation was successful and resulted in 76 arrests relating to drugs and guns, 301 purchases of dangerous drugs by the DTF, the seizure of 15 illegal handguns, 1500 pieces of evidence secured, 40 Search Warrants executed through the county but this operation has helped a significant milestone in our fight against violent crime and dangerous drugs, resulting in a 50% reduction in overdose deaths in our county.
Sheriff Kirk Imperati said, “Our Dutchess County Drug Task Force is the best of the best in regard to narcotics investigators in the Hudson Valley and Operation Fast and Furious is just an example of their relentless pursuit of holding drug dealers accountable.”
The Dutchess County Drug Task Force is tasked with investigating those individuals who choose to sell narcotics and dangerous drugs in Dutchess County. The unit is made up of highly trained, dedicated and talented narcotic investigators that work as a team full-time to identify and hold drug dealers responsible for their actions. The unit has two supervisors (Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator) and seven investigators from different Dutchess County law enforcement agencies, as well as an investigator, crime analyst and legal secretary from the District Attorney’s Office. The Drug Task Force is made up of personnel from the following agencies:
Law Enforcement Agency Participation
1. Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Division (Coordinator and 3 investigators)
2. City of Beacon Police (Assistant Coordinator)
3. Town of East Fishkill Police (1 Investigator)
4. Town of Hyde Park Police (1 Investigator)
5. Town of Poughkeepsie Police (1 Investigator)
6. City of Poughkeepsie Police (1 Investigator)
7. District Attorney’s Office (Investigator, Legal Secretary, Crime Analyst)
Drug Task Force Coordinator, Adam Harris said “The Dutchess County Drug Task Force is one of the most exceptional units in the region. This operation highlights my teams work to rapidly identify and target narcotic and dangerous drug dealers. The Drug Task Force’s aggressive approach is based off credible and actionable intelligence. The success of Operation Fast and Furious is rooted in the collaboration of local law enforcement assigned to this task force and the casers being prosecuted by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office.”
