POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Drug Task Force has arrested a Poughkeepsie man suspected of selling fentanyl mixed with xylazine, known on the street as “Tranq” or “Zombie Drug.” The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the sale of drugs including fentanyl and “Tranq” on the south side of the City of Poughkeepsie. The target area, according to the task force, has been the area of Academy and Montgomery Streets.
Joseph Parquet, 32, was arrested around noon on Thursday, February 1, in front of Clinton Elementary School on Montgomery Street in Poughkeepsie. At the time of his arrest, the accused drug dealer had a large quantity of fentanyl packaged for sale in his possession.
He was taken into custody and charged with the felonies of criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. It was learned that Parquet had active warrants in the Towns of Hyde Park and Poughkeepsie.
City of Poughkeepsie police released him to Dutchess County probation and the task force then turned him over to the Hyde Park police to answer his warrant there.
Additional charges are pending against Parquet.
Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said that “dangerous drugs have no place in our community and the fact that this arrest occurred in such close proximity to an elementary school is alarming and demonstrates the vulnerability of our youth to succumb to the drug epidemic. My office recognizes the need to take an active role in educating our youth on these dangerous drugs and we will take the necessary steps to engage them accordingly.”
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sergeant Adam Harris, the task force coordinator, spoke of the latest arrest, saying, “Our agents are in the community identifying drug dealers and they work tirelessly to hold those dealers accountable for their actions.”
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 DrugTaskForceTips@gmail.com.
