A routine traffic stop in Dutchess County led to the discovery of over 1 kilogram of cocaine and the arrest of two Poughkeepsie men, according to New York State Police. The incident occurred on Tuesday, January 21, when troopers stopped a 2012 Dodge Charger for failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign on Route 55 in the Town of LaGrange.

Significant Drug Discovery

During the traffic stop, authorities discovered approximately 1.22 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside the vehicle. The two men inside the car, Arturo Bonilla, 25, and Taji Parker, 24, were arrested and charged with two felony counts of drug possession. The charges include first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Suspects Arraigned and Remanded to Jail

Bonilla and Parker were arraigned in Stanford Town Court before Judge Dennis Buchal. Both were remanded to Dutchess County Jail without bail, pending future court appearances. The men are scheduled to appear in LaGrange Town Court at a later date.

Rising Seizures in the Hudson Valley

In recent years, law enforcement in the Hudson Valley has made significant strides in seizing large quantities of illegal drugs, reflecting both local efforts and wider regional trends in combating the opioid crisis and other drug trafficking issues.

Types of Drugs Seized

The region has seen substantial busts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, with drug seizures escalating as authorities tackle smuggling routes and distribution networks that flow through New York State.

Impact on the Region

In 2023 alone, law enforcement agencies seized hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of illicit substances, a clear indication of the growing drug problem in the region. These actions are part of a larger push to curb addiction rates and prevent the influx of deadly drugs, particularly fentanyl, which continues to ravage communities throughout the Hudson Valley.

 

 

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