In the statement from Carmel Police Chief Mike Johnson, Kent Police Chief Alex Divernieri, New York State Police Major Michael Kopy, Putnam County District Attorney Adam Levy and Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith, authorities said investigators worked together for the last two months. They reportedly focused on street-level use and sales of illegal drugs and narcotics.
"They developed vital intelligence, identified suspected drug dealers and employed investigative techniques to infiltrate the various criminal enterprises which led to the arrest of narcotics users and dealers operating in our communities," the statement reads. "They also seized narcotics, currency, power tools and motor vehicles. During the course of their investigation, investigators developed information which offered leads of other criminal activity related to the narcotics trade including burglary, robbery, prescription forgery and larceny."
Those arrested are from Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties. Some are from Connecticut.
"Collectively, suspects were charged with 87 felony charges, 40 misdemeanor charges and 12 violation charges," authorities said. "In tracing the origin of the illegal drugs, investigators determined that the majority of the narcotics sold in this region originated from New York City."
Police also discovered "a systematic string of thefts" from a home improvement store. Undercover sheriff's deputies bought two large generators and a commercial-grade power washer, valued at $3,000 in total. The items, which authorities confiscated, were stolen, police said. A suspect was arrested.
"Other information developed by the task force led to the arrest of a suspected narcotics dealer working in Westchester County," the statement reads. "That information was shared with the Westchester County Narcotics Unit which resulted in the arrest of the suspected drug dealer, the seizure of a large quantity of heroin and $18,000 in currency."
Find out what's happening in Southeast-Brewsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Carmel Police released details of the probe Tuesday morning. They said the arrests span from late March to May of this year, and the defendants' ages range from 18 to 55. A dozen of those arrested are females.
"The Putnam Initiative resulted in the arrest of 56 total individuals and included 35 felonies, 14 misdemeanors and 6 violation charges," officials said in a statement. "Over $15,000 in currency was seized along with seven vehicles. Additionally the agencies involved seized 3.5 ounces of cocaine, 2.6 ounces of heroin, 29.5 ounces of marihuana, 1.4 ounces of steroids, and 1.4 ounces of pill form controlled substances (Oxycodone, Roxycodone, Suboxone and Xanax). As well as 27.3 grams of MDMA, 7.5 grams of mushrooms and 3.5 grams of PCP."
Authorities say the initiative aims to "send a message to drug sellers and purchasers in and around Putnam County area that they will face a coordinated law enforcement effort and determined prosecution if they are selling or using drugs in Putnam County."Police in the area in November and December 2012, and in January of this year, were investigating several deaths that appeared to be connected to drug overdoses.
Prosecution is pending against the 56 individuals arrested, according to police.
Officials are looking to make additional arrests. They ask anyone with information relevant to drug dealing or use in Putnam to contact one of the agencies involved in the probe: Carmel Police Department, Kent Police Department, the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police.
"All calls will be kept strictly confidential," authorities said in the statement.
Find out what's happening in Southeast-Brewsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Carmel Police may be reached at 845-628-1300. Folks with relevant information should request the detective division, which is staffed from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
