Officer's Accidental Fentanyl OD Leads To Arrest: Drug Task Force

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A city of Poughkeepsie man was accused of selling crack cocaine after a police officer accidentally overdosed on fentanyl.

The Dutchess County Drug Task Force said Michael Graham, 37, of the city of Poughkeepsie, was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, felonies. Other charges are pending, authorities said.

The task force said Graham was arrested in Pershing Avenue Park after an investigation into the sales of fentanyl and crack cocaine in several areas in the city of Poughkeepsie.

Authorities said he was taken into custody without incident and found to have a large quantity of crack cocaine and fentanyl packaged and ready for sale.

Graham was arraigned in the City of Poughkeepsie Court and sent to jail without bail.

Officials of the task force said that drug dealers selling “this poison” that puts everyone at risk will be aggressively targeted, and this arrest is an example of that.

Residents of Dutchess County should be aware, the task force said, that fentanyl and drugs like crack cocaine that are mixed with fentanyl are not just deadly to individuals struggling with drug addiction but are dangerous to everyone who may incidentally come into contact with them.

The accidental overdose of a police officer exposed to fentanyl Wednesday in the city of Poughkeepsie is the most recent example of how dangerous fentanyl is to everyone, the task force said.

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 email.