Second arrest made in Fishkill drug, weapon investigation

FISHKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- During an ongoing investigation by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, a second arrest has been made in a drug sales investigation that started in December. Michael Birney, 32, of Poughkeepsie, faces multiple felony charges.

Task force agents began investigating the sale and distribution of cocaine in East Fishkill and Poughkeepsie in early December. On December 20, agents executed a search warrant at a residence off Robinson Lane and allegedly found a loaded gun, ammunition and two kilograms of suspected cocaine in the house.

At the time of the search warrant, deputies arrested Rahmel Garraway, 31. Birney was not located when the search warrant was executed but was found to be utilizing the house to store, manufacture and distribute narcotics, agents said.

On January 5, Birney was found walking near Hooker Avenue and South Hamilton Street and arrested without incident. Deputies charged Birney with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class C violent felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, with the intent to sell, a class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony.

After his arrest, he was arraigned in the Town of East Fishkill Justice Court. He was then remanded to the Dutchess County Jail on $150,000 cash, $750,000 bond or $1 million partially secured bond.

This case is one of many under investigation by the Drug Task Force. If anyone has information regarding this case or about any other individuals selling drugs in Dutchess County, contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or by sending an email to Drugtaskforcetips@gmail.com.