The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force has been investigating the sale of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs in the Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park, and surrounding areas. This investigation led to the Drug Task Force identifying a person directly connected to the distribution of fentanyl in Dutchess County.

On the morning of 03/25/24, members of the Drug Task Force assisted by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau, apprehended Jose J. Cruz, Age 22, from the City of Beacon, in the Town of Hyde Park near Saint Peters School on Violet Ave. During the investigation, the Drug Task Force learned that Cruz was leaving for Miami Florida later the same day. Therefore, it was a priority to apprehend Cruz prior to him leaving the State. This investigation involved several narcotics transactions made by Drug Task Force members. After Cruz was taken into custody, a search warrant was executed at Cruz’s current residence where both fentanyl and cocaine packaged for sale was seized. Also located was an illegal handgun that was deemed inoperable, along with a loaded magazine of ammunition was seized in addition to the narcotics. The Drug Task Force was assisted by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Hyde Park Police Department during the execution of the search warrant.

Cruz was charged with (1) Count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, a class B felony with multiple charges pending against him. Cruz was arraigned in the Town of Hyde Park Justice court and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail without bail.

Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths in Dutchess County and it, with other dangerous drugs continue to affect all members of our community every day in some way. Dutchess County District Attorney, Anthony Parisi said, “No community is untouched by these dangerous drugs, but we are thankful to the vigilant members of our Drug Task Force who continue to fight to keep our community safe.”

If anyone has information regarding this case 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 or by sending an email to the following web address: DrugTaskForceTips@gmail.com.  As with any criminal case, the charges described above are merely an accusation and those individuals named in this release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.