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Opioid Epidemic

Search Warrant Yields Cocaine, Fentanyl, Charges For Hudson Valley Suspect Search Warrant Yields Cocaine, Fentanyl, Charges For Hudson Valley Suspect
Search Warrant Yields Cocaine, Fentanyl, Charges For Hudson Valley Suspect A Hudson Valley man is facing drug charges after a months-long investigation into narcotics sales. Richard Fernandez, age 40, was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 20, following a five-month investigation by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force. Investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence in Pomona, recovering cocaine, fentanyl pills, and other pharmaceutical drugs during the search. Fernandez has been charged with: Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree; Four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in t…
Hudson Valley Drug-Dealing Duo Nabbed During Search, Police Say Hudson Valley Drug-Dealing Duo Nabbed During Search, Police Say
Hudson Valley Drug-Dealing Duo Nabbed During Search, Police Say Two alleged drug dealers off the streets following a bust by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force in collaboration with local police. The incident -- which took two illegal handguns and narcotics off the streets --  took place in Dutchess County on Thursday, Jan. 4 on Wagon Wheel Road in the town of Hyde Park, said Sgt. Adam Harris of the task force. Harris said the warrant search was the result of an ongoing investigation by the task force into local drug sales. Arrested during the search included Terrance A. Warren, age 30, and Bryant N. Rojas-Hill, age 31, both from the town of…
Fentanyl Bust: 900 Bags Of Drug Seized During Search Of Hudson Valley Home Fentanyl Bust: 900 Bags Of Drug Seized During Search Of Hudson Valley Home
Fentanyl Bust: 900 Bags Of Drug Seized During Search Of Hudson Valley Home Some 900 bags of fentanyl were seized during a warrant search of a Hudson Valley home following a four-month investigation.  The incident took place in Orange County in the town of Middletown on Wednesday, June 7, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta. As alleged in charging documents filed and comments made in court, on Wednesday, police officers executed a search warrant at a home in Middletown.  During the search, police recovered approximately 900 bags of fentanyl worth $13,500, various amounts of oxycodone, al…
Republican Marc Molinaro On Track To Win In NY’s 19th District (Developing) Republican Marc Molinaro On Track To Win In NY’s 19th District (Developing)
Republican Marc Molinaro On Track To Win In NY’s 19th District (Developing) This story has been updated. Republicans appeared poised to win in New York’s 19th Congressional District, with Marc Molinaro seemingly on track to defeat Democrat Josh Riley early Wednesday, Nov. 9.  Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive, was leading Riley by 2.2 percentage points, 51 to 49 percent, as of early Wednesday morning, Nov. 9, with more than 95 percent of the votes in. The 19th Congressional District includes the counties of Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster, as well as portions of Broome, Dutchess, Montgomery, and Rensselaer counties. …
Hudson Valley Man Busted With Fentanyl After Three-Month Investigation, Police Say Hudson Valley Man Busted With Fentanyl After Three-Month Investigation, Police Say
Hudson Valley Man Busted With Fentanyl After Three-Month Investigation, Police Say A Hudson Valley man has been arrested for allegedly being in possession of a large quantity of fentanyl following a three-month investigation. The bust took place in the city of Poughkeepsie on Tuesday, May 17, and resulted in the arrest of Orange County resident Laquan Falls, age 26, of Newburgh. The arrest is the culmination of a three-month investigation by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force into Falls drugs sales in Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster County areas, said Det/Sergeant Adam D. Harris, coordinator of the task force. When taken into custody by task force agents Falls was in&…
New Details Released On NY's $1.1 Billion Settlement With Nation's Biggest Opioid Distributors New Details Released On NY's $1.1 Billion Settlement With Nation's Biggest Opioid Distributors
New Details Released On NY's $1.1 Billion Settlement With Nation's Biggest Opioid Distributors New York has reached a $1.1 billion agreement with three of the nation's largest opioid distributors to help curb and prevent drug use across the state. Attorney General Letitia James announced an agreement with McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc., and Amerisource Bergen Drug Corporation — three of the nation’s largest drug distributors — that will deliver up to $1.1 billion to New York state to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic.  Earlier report: NY, Other States Reach $4.5B Settlement With Purdue Pharma Over Its Role In Opioid Epidemic The agreement is the largest m…
NY, Other States Reach $4.5B Settlement With Purdue Pharma Over Its Role In Opioid Epidemic NY, Other States Reach $4.5B Settlement With Purdue Pharma Over Its Role In Opioid Epidemic
NY, Other States Reach $4.5B Settlement With Purdue Pharma Over Its Role In Opioid Epidemic New York is joining several other states in winning a multi-billion dollar settlement - one of the largest in the country’s history - with Purdue Pharma for its role in the opioid epidemic that has plagued the US for years. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a $4.5 billion settlement with the pharmaceutical company that will put them out of business after falsely marketing its products to get Americans hooked on opioids. The owners of Purdue Pharma, the Sackler family, will pay out a total of $4.325 billion over the next nine years, with New York State receiving approximately $200 million. Cuomo …
Three Nabbed On Drug, Other Charges During Probation Sweep, Police Say Three Nabbed On Drug, Other Charges During Probation Sweep, Police Say
Three Nabbed On Drug, Other Charges During Probation Sweep, Police Say Three people were arrested on drug and other charges during a probation sweep by the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Probation Department. The sweep took place on Thursday, Oct. 31, when the two offices teamed up to enforce the supervision of probationers through home visits, said Orange County Sheriff's Capt. Paul Arteta. One visit led to the arrest of three people including Lorenzo Lopez, 52, Devin Zarnoff, 26, both of the Town of Newburgh, and Nancy Corrigan, 45, of Wappinger Falls, after they were found in possession of drugs. Lopez was found in possession of…
Ex-Medical Practice Office Manager Admits To Operating As Major Oxycodone Trafficker Ex-Medical Practice Office Manager Admits To Operating As Major Oxycodone Trafficker
Ex-Medical Practice Office Manager Admits To Operating As Major Oxycodone Trafficker An ex-medical practice officer manager pleaded guilty to operating as a major oxycodone trafficker, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Jodee O’Dell, 38, of Goshen, pleaded guilty before Orange County Court Judge Craig Stephen Brown to attempted operating as a major trafficker on Tuesday, June 18, said the DA's Office. O’Dell’s plea involved a scheme to obtain oxycodone pills to sell by creating false prescriptions from the BAJA Medical Offices in the Village of Goshen where she was the office manager and have other people fill the prescriptions an…
Woman, 27, Charged In Connection To Fatal Overdose In Area Woman, 27, Charged In Connection To Fatal Overdose In Area
Woman, 27, Charged In Connection To Fatal Overdose In Area A 27-year-old woman has been charged in connection with the fatal overdose death of another woman she had allegedly sold heroin with fentanyl.  Ashley Parker, 27, of Huguenot, was arrested on Friday, May 31 by Port Jervis Police after the death of a 37-year-old Port Jervis woman, said Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden. Following an investigation, Parker allegedly sold a quantity of heroin with fentanyl to the female prior to her death, Worden said. Parker was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, t…
Two Medical Office Managers Charged In Drug Sweep With Writing Fake Oxycodone Prescriptions Two Medical Office Managers Charged In Drug Sweep With Writing Fake Oxycodone Prescriptions
Two Medical Office Managers Charged In Drug Sweep With Writing Fake Oxycodone Prescriptions Two medical office managers who took advantage of electronic prescribing to allegedly dispense more than 50,000 oxycodone pills were scooped up in a wide-ranging drug sweep that included 18 arrests. The enforcement action, conducted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Orange County Drug Task Force, primarily used undercover police officers to purchase heroin, cocaine, and prescription medications.  The countywide enforcement action was designed to help clean up neighborhoods throughout Orange County by targeting individuals trafficking narcotics, the …
12 Nabbed In Hudson Valley Drug Trafficking Ring Bust, State AG Says 12 Nabbed In Hudson Valley Drug Trafficking Ring Bust, State AG Says
12 Nabbed In Hudson Valley Drug Trafficking Ring Bust, State AG Says A dozen people are facing a host of charges for operating a drug distribution ring out of the Hudson Valley. Attorney General Barbara Underwood announced this week that a 110-count indictment charging 12 members of a narcotics trafficking ring operating in Dutchess, Orange and Ulster counties has been unsealed. They are accused of selling thousands of prescription pills, including oxycodone, amphetamine, diazepam, clonazepam, and buprenorphine to dozens of customers each day. The indictment alleges that several members of the drug ring focused on the purchase and resale of prescription…
Molinaro Signs 2019 Dutchess County Budget Described As 'Bipartisan' Molinaro Signs 2019 Dutchess County Budget Described As 'Bipartisan'
Molinaro Signs 2019 Dutchess County Budget Described As 'Bipartisan' Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has officially signed the 2019 County Budget, which was recently approved through a bipartisan vote. The budget, which was signed Friday, Dec. 14, includes numerous changes, such as the reduction of the county property tax levy for what will be the fifth consecutive year. The budget will also include a lower property tax rate for the fourth year, from $3.54 to $3.45 for $1,000 of true value assessments. Services for veterans and seniors will be improved, as will youth program funding. The budget will also make a number of targeted investments to grow …
Westchester Doctor, Pharmacist Illegally Sold Oxycodone Pills, Feds Say Westchester Doctor, Pharmacist Illegally Sold Oxycodone Pills, Feds Say
Westchester Doctor, Pharmacist Illegally Sold Oxycodone Pills, Feds Say A doctor and pharmacist from Westchester were among seven medical professionals that have been accused of illegally distributing millions of oxycodone pills. Yonkers resident Nadem Sayegh, a doctor with offices in Westchester and the Bronx, and Marc Klein, who owns a pharmacy in White Plains, are each facing time behind bars for their roles in a pill mill that has been under investigation. Both are scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court on Thursday. According to investigators who announced their arrests, Sayegh wrote illegal prescriptions in order to live a life of luxury.  He “mai…
State Sues Purdue Pharma, Alleging Illegal Conduct, 'Scheme To Misrepresent Opioid Products' State Sues Purdue Pharma, Alleging Illegal Conduct, 'Scheme To Misrepresent Opioid Products'
State Sues Purdue Pharma, Alleging Illegal Conduct, 'Scheme To Misrepresent Opioid Products' A lawsuit has been filed against a prominent pharmaceutical company that allegedly misrepresented its products - including OxyContin - as being more benign than they are for decades. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Barbara Underwood announced a lawsuit against Stamford-based Purdue Pharma L.P., Purdue Pharma Inc., and Purdue Fredrick Company, Inc. on Tuesday.  The company allegedly took part in a “decades-long and continuing pattern of persistent deceptive and illegal conduct, whereby Purdue's misled prescribers and patients about the risks of its opioids, including OxyConti…
Family, Officer Save Man In BMW Barely Breathing Outside Area Mall Family, Officer Save Man In BMW Barely Breathing Outside Area Mall
Family, Officer Save Man In BMW Barely Breathing Outside Area Mall Saving a young man dying from a heroin overdose was a harrowing, life-changing event for a family of six, but just another day at work for police and EMS personnel. The Colucci family of Hopewell Junction was out for a day of fun and a movie at the Poughkeepsie Galleria Mall when a stop of two minutes for the kids to use the bathroom turned the day of enjoyment into one of fear. When leaving the mall, the mother, Jenn Colucci, noticed a black BMW parked down a couple spots had the door open and the bell was dinging over and over. At first, she thought nothing of it, but after loading the k…
Walmart, Sam's Club To Limit Opioid Prescriptions Walmart, Sam's Club To Limit Opioid Prescriptions
Walmart, Sam's Club To Limit Opioid Prescriptions With the country in the midst of an opioid epidemic, Walmart is taking efforts to curtail drug abuse by its customers. Officials announced Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies around the country will fill all opioid prescriptions with no more than a seven-day supply, capping daily dosages at 50 morphine milligram equivalents. The new policy is in line with guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding opioid use and abuse. The new policy is expected to be implemented nationwide within two months. Walmart employees are expected to get additional training and ed…
Investigation Leads To Takedown Of Hudson Valley Drug Distribution Ring Investigation Leads To Takedown Of Hudson Valley Drug Distribution Ring
Investigation Leads To Takedown Of Hudson Valley Drug Distribution Ring More than a dozen alleged Hudson Valley gang members and an alleged drug supplier from New Jersey are facing prison time after a major narcotics distribution ring was broken up as part of “Operation Yellow Brick Road.” New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a 172-count indictment charging 16 members of the “600 Gang” operating in the Hudson Valley, who were allegedly selling heroin and cocaine in Orange County. Each of the suspects faces up to 25 years in prison. The bust - which was dubbed “Operation Yellow Brick Road,” partially due to ringleader Damion Jackson’s street na…