Tri-County Drug Investigation Nets a Large Quantity of Fentanyl and Heroin
The Dutchess County Drug Task Force reports the arrest of Laquan Falls, age 26 of Newburgh on
5/17/22, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) with Intent to Sell in
connection with a 3 month investigation by the Drug Task Force into drug sales in the Dutchess,
Orange, and Ulster County areas. Mr. Falls was taken into custody by Task Force Agents and was in
possession of a significant quantity of Fentanyl as well as other illegal drugs. Search Warrants
related to this investigation were executed by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force in Orange,
Ulster and Dutchess Counties resulting in the seizure of additional narcotics.
Mr Falls was arraigned in the City of Poughkeepsie Justice Court and remanded to the Dutchess
County Jail. Mr. Falls also has a Federal Arrest Warrant for his arrest as a result of this investigation.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can often be lethal in small doses. Illegal drugs, for example
heroin, is often contaminated with Fentanyl. Fentanyl is believed to be a 100x more potent than
morphine and according to the DEA as little as two milligrams of Fentanyl can be lethal. In Dutchess
County there have been a significant number of overdose deaths related to Fentanyl use.
The Dutchess County Drug Task Force was assisted by the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement
Narcotics Team, United States Drug Enforcement Adminastration, United States Probation, Dutchess
County Sheriff’s Office, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, City of Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Recovery
Unit, Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, New York State Parole, City of Newburgh Police and
the Town of Lloyd Police.
If anyone has information about individuals selling drugs you are urged to contact the confidential tipline at or call 845-463-6040.
As with any criminal case the charge described above is merely an accusation and Mr. Falls is
presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
