During the early evening of the Supermoon on Tuesday October 17, 2024, some Beacon residents near the west side of town heard a loud bang while gazing at the larger than usual moon. Those were the sounds of “distraction devices” used by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, with the assistance of the City of Beacon Police Department who has an officer on that Force. The Drug Task Force arrested George Cintron while he was driving down Beekman Street near his home, according to the City of Beacon Police’s Press Release. Beekman Street is where the apartment complex The Views is located, near the Beacon train station.

George was under investigation for “the sale of fentanyl and cocaine in the City of Beacon,” according to the Dutchess County Task Force’s Press Release. Their report continued: “The investigation resulted in the identification of George Cintron, age 37, who sold fentanyl to Drug Task Force Agents during this investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation a search warrant was obtained by the Drug Task Force to search the home of Cintron located in the City of Beacon.”

On that Tuesday night, George was driving, and it was during a traffic stop, the Beacon Police said, that he was pulled over, which was when the loud noise was used. According to their Press Release: “Due to the suspect's dangerous history that includes a federal conviction for possession of a destructive device (explosive) the Sherrif's ESU team utilized a loud distraction device to increase their safety on approaching the vehicle. No shots were fired, nor did anyone sustain any injuries." Neither Press Release indicated that George was in possession of an explosive device at the time, or how long ago he was found in possession of such a device.

After George was taken into custody, he was detained up the road at the City of Beacon Police Station as the Drug Task Force "executed a search warrant at his residence a short distance away." His arraignment was scheduled for the following day, October 18, 2024, according to the release.

It was during that search at George’s residence, the Drug Task Force said, that they found more than 16 ounces of cocaine, fentanyl, ecstasy, and an illegal “Ghost” handgun. Cintron was then charged with the following crimes:

(1) Count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st degree, an A1 Felony
(1) Count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm 3rd Degree, a class D Felony

In closing of the Drug Task Force’s Press Release, they say:

“If anyone has information regarding this case or about any other individuals selling drugs in Dutchess County, you are urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or by sending an email to the following web address: DrugTaskForceTips@gmail.com As with any criminal case, the charges described above are merely an accusation and those individuals named in this release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

ALBB’s Question: Is it a crime to buy cocaine, fentanyl, or ecstasy? Realizing that the assumption is that a buyer is addicted, and pity is usually given to that individual. But is it a crime to buy such narcotics? How many reseller markets are there in narcotic sales?