An undercover investigation spanning weeks led to a St. Patrick’s Day arrest and the seizure of cocaine and ammunition, prosecutors said.
Red Hook, NY – A 43-year-old man was arrested following an undercover narcotics investigation in the Village of Red Hook, where authorities say cocaine was being sold near local businesses and bars. The arrest, announced by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, stems from a coordinated operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Key Points
- 43-year-old man arrested in Red Hook drug investigation
- Undercover agents made multiple narcotics purchases before arrest
- Cocaine and ammunition recovered during search warrant execution
The suspect, identified as Robert Caroccio, was taken into custody on St. Patrick’s Day after Drug Task Force agents located him inside a local bar. Investigators said agents had conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from the defendant in the weeks leading up to the arrest.
Undercover operation leads to arrest
According to the District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement received complaints and intelligence from community members and multiple agencies about alleged drug activity in the area. Agents then launched an undercover operation targeting sales occurring near restaurants and bars.
“The Defendant was found to have multiple bags of cocaine packaged for sale on his person when taken into custody,” officials stated in the release.
Authorities said the arrest was carried out with assistance from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau and the Red Hook Police Department.
Search warrant yields additional evidence
Following the arrest, investigators executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in the Town of Milan. During the search, officials reported recovering additional evidence tied to cocaine distribution, along with .40 caliber Glock magazines and ammunition.
Caroccio has been charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, a class B felony, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 4th Degree, a class C felony. Officials noted that additional charges are pending.
District Attorney Anthony P. Parisi said, “This enforcement action by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force underscores a critical reality: no community in Dutchess County is immune from the reach of dangerous narcotics.”
The defendant was arraigned in the Village of Red Hook Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center.
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