Explosions on Main Street Shock Suspected Drug Dealers (VIDEO & GALLERY)

POUGHKEEPSIE – Many people saw and heard explosions on Main Street in Poughkeepsie around 9 a.m. The deafening explosions were “flash grenades” used by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force as they executed search warrants in the 400 and 500 blocks of Main Street.

When task force agents, accompanied by Dutchess County Sheriff's Emergency Services, rushed to the “outdoor drug market on the sidewalk across from Kennedy Fried Chicken,” they threw grenades that exploded in the street. Many people loitering on the sidewalk were stunned, including a suspected drug dealer who was wearing a pink tracksuit. The raid was one of several the task force conducted on Main Street on Thursday.

The suspect in the large pink tracksuit was taken into custody and his BMW sedan parked across the street was seized. According to task force leader Detective Sergeant Adam Harris, several other suspects were also arrested as part of the ongoing investigation. Significant amounts of fentanyl and crack cocaine were seized during the raids.

If anyone has information about this case or anyone else selling drugs in Dutchess County, you are asked to call the Dutchess County Drug Task Force Confidential Tip Line at 845-463-6040 or email Send email by clicking here.

The sheriff's task force and ESU were assisted in the drug investigation by City of Poughkeepsie police and state troopers.