POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Drug Task Force has arrested a 34-year-old man on a felony charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance – fentanyl – with intent to sell.
The arrest of Shawn Phillips, 34, on Friday, October 21, was the result of a several month-long investigation into fentanyl sales in the Dutchess County area.
The investigation led to a search warrant being executed at a residence in the Town of Red Hook where a quantity of cash and fentanyl was seized.
Phillips was arraigned and remanded to the county jail without bail.
Task Force Coordinator Det. Sgt. Adam Harris said Phillips is believed to be responsible for the distribution of a significant amount of fentanyl found in counterfeit oxycodone 30 mg in the area and his arrest is believed to have disrupted a pipeline of fentanyl being transported into Dutchess.
In 2021, the Dutchess County Drug Task Force recorded more than 100 drug overdose deaths in the county with fentanyl being involved in an overwhelming amount of cases.
The task force was assisted by the sheriff’s office Detective Bureau and K-9 Unit.
If anyone has information about this case or any other individuals selling drugs in Dutchess, they are urged to contact the task force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or by sending an email to DrugTaskForceTips@gmail.com.
