Poughkeepsie pizza parlor linked to major cocaine, meth ring that busted five locals: AG

John W. Barry | Poughkeepsie Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Cocaine to phone use: How addiction rewires the brain Whether it's cocaine, vaping or even your phone, addiction can alter your brain without you even being aware.

A City of Poughkeepsie pizza parlor served as a distribution point for a major cocaine and meth ring that was busted along with five local men in a drug case that spanned two states and a year of investigative work.

Over four pounds of cocaine and a pound of methamphetamine were confiscated along with weapons and ammunition, according to state Attorney General Letitia James. The year-long smuggling probe included hundreds of hours of physical surveillance, wiretapping, hidden cameras and undercover operations.

The pizzeria is TJ’s Pizza on Main Street in the City of Poughkeepsie, according to the Attorney General. Ben Dalia, whose nephew, Vincenzo Dalia, 25, has been charged, said the family has owned the pizzeria for 50 years. He declined further comment. The business was open Friday.

Vincenzo Dalia, Matthew Haddad, 33, Tony Jarrett, 35, Christian Myers, 28, and Rishad Thomas, 40, all of Poughkeepsie, were among nine suspects charged in an indictment with 168 crimes, according to a press release.

During “Operation Final Cut,” law enforcement officials discovered that a Poughkeepsie pizzeria owned by Dalia's family was allegedly used as a location to sell drugs, the press release said. Haddad allegedly brought his child to one drug deal, according to James.

The investigation began in August 2018 and the Dutchess County component of the probe revolved around several businesses in Poughkeepsie, including a café, barbershop and the pizzeria, according to James. None of the businesses were identified.

The criminal charges include various felony counts of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance; and conspiracy. The indictment was unsealed before Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin. The other suspects are from the Bronx and Coconut Creek, Florida.

Information related to individual charges, the monetary value of the drugs and how long the operation had been going on was not available. But details in the press release sketched out how the defendants conducted their alleged illicit business.

"During the course of wiretapping, conspirators frequently utilized coded and cryptic terminology in an attempt to disguise their illicit trafficking, such as referring to orders of cocaine as 'cuts; and 'white girl,'" the press release said.

According to the press release, the indictment alleges that:

Cocaine was allegedly supplied to Jarrett for resale by Dalia and others to customers in Dutchess County.

Dalia allegedly purchased for resale what he believed to be Adderall, but was methamphetamine, from individuals in Florida.

Dalia allegedly purchased for resale what he believed to be ecstasy, but was methamphetamine. He allegedly purchased the drug from Haddad.

Haddad allegedly obtained pills from Myers, his supplier, and on occasion brought them to Dalia at his family-owned pizzeria in Poughkeepsie for resale to customers. During one occasion, Haddad allegedly brought his child to a meeting where pills were exchanged for money.

Dalia, Haddad, Jarrett, Myers and Thomas Friday afternoon were being held in Dutchess County Jail.

Dalia and Jarrett were held without bail. Thomas and Haddad were held on $200,000 bail or $400,000 bond. Myers was being held on $400,000 bail or $800,000 bond. All are due in Dutchess County Court on Dec. 4.

In addition to James and the state police, the U.S. Army National Guard Counterdrug Task Force was invovled in the investigation.

“We will continue to go after any individual who tries to profit off of the sale of illegal drugs,” James said.

“Not only did these individuals bring dangerous drugs into our communities, but they put their children and families in harm’s way by using their businesses as storefronts for this operation. I thank the New York State Police for their partnership in this investigation and continued work to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers.”

Check back later for more detail on this story.

John W. Barry: jobarry@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4822, Twitter: @JohnBarryPoJo