United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging DERRICK BROCK, also known as “Dereck Brock,” 36, of New Haven with a fentanyl and crack cocaine distribution offense.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on January 10, 2023,  at approximately 5:20 a.m., members of the DEA’s New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police Department conducting surveillance encountered Brock in a minivan that was parked on Elliott Street in New Haven.  Brock was suspected of distributing narcotics from the minivan, and a registration query of the license plate information on the vehicle revealed no record.  When a law enforcement vehicle activated its siren and emergency lights in an attempt to stop him, Brock drove away at a high-rate of speed through stop sticks that successfully deflated the minivan’s tires before he crashed head-on into a vehicle being operated by two DEA special agents.  Brock exited the minivan and ran from the scene, but was apprehended in the backyard of a residence on Orchard Street.  A search of Brock’s person and vehicle revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine.

The two DEA special agents, and Brock, were transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the crash.

The indictment charges Brock with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”), an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Brock has been detained since January 10.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, ATF and the Connecticut State Police.  The DEA Task New Haven Task Force includes personnel from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.