Two arrested in Poughkeepsie fentanyl bust

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office reported the arrest of two people in Poughkeepsie following a narcotics investigation. Stephen Bai, 39, and Angela Martinez, 38, are both facing felony charges.

The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force received reports of drug activity near a large apartment building located at 60 Carroll Street in Poughkeepsie. Bai was identified as a suspected drug dealer in the area in the ensuing investigation.

Agents of the Task Force were able to make multiple undercover fentanyl purchases from Bai, leading to a search warrant being issued for his apartment. Law enforcement officers executed the warrant early on Wednesday morning.

During the search, agents allegedly located felony quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, as well as scales and packaging materials. Bai and Martinez, who were both in the apartment at the time, were taken into custody as a result of the search.

Martinez, an associate of Bai, had an active arrest warrant for prior felony drug possession. At the time of the arrest, she was reportedly found to have felony-weight crack cocaine with her. The pair now face the following charges:

Bai

• Two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance - fentanyl

Martinez

• Fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance

Bai and Martinez were both arraigned at the City of Poughkeepsie Court. Bai was then released and is scheduled to return to court at a later date, while Martinez was turned over to the custody of the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department to be processed for her outstanding warrant.

The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office stated that additional charges against Bai and Martinez are pending and the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Drug Task Force by calling (845)463-6040 or emailing DrugTaskForceTips@gmail.com.