Taxi Driver Was An On-Demand Drug Dealer, According To Authorities

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A taxi driver in Dutchess County was actually a prolific drug dealer, according to police.

The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office Drug Task Force began their investigation after learning that a local taxi driver was selling drugs out his home on Van Wagner Road, and while operating a taxi service.

Drug Task Force agents identified the taxi driver as 52-year-old Howard J. Nugent, and began to purchase cocaine from him in several areas within the Town of Poughkeepsie and other jurisdictions in Dutchess County, investigators said.

The agents said those cocaine buys from Nugent resulting in a search warrant being obtained.

On Tuesday, Drug Task Force agents, along with members of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Unit (SWAT), the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department and the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit, conducted surveillance on Van Wagner Road. Nugent was spotted leaving an address on Van Wagner Road in his vehicle and traveling south onto Taft Avenue.

A marked Sheriff's Office Emergency Services vehicle tried to stop Nugent when he sped away, striking an unmarked Sheriff’s Office vehicle before leaving the roadway and striking a light, authorities said.

Nugent was taken into custody at the scene without incident, according to the sheriff's office.

Members of the Drug Task Force then immediately executed a raid of Nugent's residence, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of cocaine packaged for sale, cops said.

Cocaine packaged for sale was also found hidden within the vehicle Nugent was driving at the time of the crash.

He was charged with two counts of third-degree felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, and felony intent to sell. Police said other charges related to the sale of narcotics are pending against Nugent, related to this investigation.

Nugent was processed at the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office before being held at the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department pending his arraignment. On Wednesday, Nugent was arraigned by the Town of Poughkeepsie Justice Court and released to the supervision of probation.

Anyone with information about this case, or about any others selling drugs in Dutchess County, are urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or by emailing your tips to this email address.