Handcuffs
handcuffs

Drug task force bust in Poughkeepsie nets arrest of known crack dealer

Posted by
1 min read
March 28, 2026

Authorities say undercover buys led to arrest and search of Winnikee Avenue home.

Poughkeepsie, NY – A suspected drug dealer was arrested in Poughkeepsie following an investigation that included multiple undercover purchases of crack cocaine on the city’s north side, authorities said.

Jermaine Thomas, 49, was taken into custody Wednesday at College Hill Park without incident after Drug Task Force agents tracked his alleged activity across several locations. Investigators said they had conducted repeated controlled buys from Thomas during the probe.

At the time of his arrest, Thomas was allegedly in possession of multiple bags of crack cocaine packaged for sale, along with scales, packaging materials, and cash.

Search warrant yields additional evidence

Following the arrest, agents executed a search warrant at Thomas’s residence on Winnikee Avenue with assistance from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and City of Poughkeepsie Police.

Authorities reported recovering additional evidence tied to narcotics distribution inside the home.


Key Points

  • Suspect arrested after multiple undercover crack cocaine purchases
  • Drugs, scales, and cash recovered at time of arrest in College Hill Park
  • Search of Winnikee Avenue home uncovered additional evidence

Felony charges filed, more possible

Thomas has been charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, and fourth-degree possession, a class C felony. Officials said additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.

He was arraigned in City of Poughkeepsie Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center.

“This arrest is the result of diligent investigative work and strong collaboration among our law enforcement partners,” said District Attorney Anthony P. Parisi. “The illegal distribution of crack cocaine poses a serious threat to public safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods. My office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting those who profit from the sale of dangerous drugs and to supporting efforts that make our communities safer.”

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss