18 Nabbed In Massive Hudson Valley Drug Bust

A massive multi-agency narcotics operation in the City of Poughkeepsie has led to 18 arrests and safer streets, according to the city, state and county police officials.

City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison said city streets are safer following a large drug operation.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Kathy Reakes

12/14/2017 1:52 p.m.

Dubbed "Operation PK Pick Up," the operation also led to a plethora of drugs, numerous handguns, and about $25,000 over two days earlier this week, said Det. Lt. Matt Clark.

"Drug dealers and violent criminals will want to think twice when it comes to doing business in the City of Poughkeepsie because you never know who is watching or coming after you," said Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison. "It could be the FBI or a local police officer. We are all working to make the streets and city safer."

Fifteen people were charged with the felony criminal possession and criminal sale of a controlled substance including: Justin Adorno, 21; Shalina Williams, 25; Lenard Brown, 37; Jahyre Smith, 17; Anthony Davis, 39; James Carr, 52; Michael Cummings, 28; Mercedes Nelson, 28; Kashawn Carter, 24; Antoinette Harris-Blanding, 26; Malik Williams, 22; Steven Watson, 48; Alberto Ogletree, 36; and Kiana Hill, 37, all Poughkeepsie residents, as well as Dervis Joyner, 39, who is listed as homeless.

In addition, three others were charged including:

Devin Whitaker, 34, of Poughkeepsie, was charged with three counts of criminal possession of a weapon, two of criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of marijuana.
Tenequa Fitzgiles-Gilliard, 35, of Poughkeepsie, was charged with felony assault.
Darnell Lambey, 21, of Poughkeepsie, was charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Clark said numerous agencies took part in the operation including the New York State Police, Red Hook police, the City of Poughkeepsie police, the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, the Dutchess County Drug Task Force, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office.

The operation included the execution of four search warrants and mainly focused on the north side of the city surrounding the Smith Street area that is also known as "Death Row."

Seizures during the searches included 85 grams of crack cocaine, 7 grams of powder cocaine, 4 grams of loose heroin, 4 bricks of heroin and about 13 pounds of marijuana.

Agents also recovered two .38-caliber revolvers, one .45 semi-automatic, a .380-caliber handgun, and one tech 9 with a silencer, a 2005 Lincoln Navigator, 2013 Volkswagen and more than $25,000 in cash including $600 recovered drug buy money.

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