United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW YORK CITY – An indictment filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor charges Eric Hooks in connection with the seizure of approximately 8 kilograms of powdered fentanyl (over 17 pounds) and up to 10,000 counterfeit pills allegedly containing fentanyl from a vehicle and an apartment in the Bronx.

Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division, and Keechant L. Sewell, New York City Police Commissioner, announced the arrest and indictment today as HOOKS appeared for arraignment in Manhattan Supreme Court. The indictment contains charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree.

A short-term investigation was conducted by DEA New York Division’s Group D-41, the New York Strike Force Financial Investigation Team and the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “The frequency of our significant seizures of deadly fentanyl suggests an alarming amount is entering New York City. Loads of lethal drugs are intended for distribution in our city and throughout the Northeast. We are committed to holding accountable those who hope to profit from the destruction of so many lives.”

“An opioid den with a cache of $2.5 million dollar’s-worth of fentanyl was found and shut down in the Bronx,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “Fentanyl is our biggest threat and our greatest challenge to public health and safety. This arrest and seizure have removed a significant amount of fentanyl from our streets that will no doubt save lives.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said, “New York’s law enforcement community has dealt another blow to those who attempt to profit from the distribution and sale of the deadly poison fentanyl that is ravaging our communities. As we continue to fight the opioid epidemic throughout our city and across the nation, there is no question that many lives have been saved as a result of this massive seizure. I commend and thank all of the dedicated investigators and prosecutors involved in this important case.”

On November 21, 2022, at approximately 6:25 p.m., agents and officers with DEA Group D-41 and the New York Strike Force Financial Investigation Team were conducting surveillance outside 880 Thieriot Avenue in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx when they allegedly observed Hooks place a weighted blue bag into the trunk of a white BMW X6 sedan. He then entered the driver's seat and drove away.

Agents and officers followed the BMW to the vicinity of 1880 Lafayette Avenue, where they stopped the vehicle. Hooks unsuccessfully attempted to escape by driving onto the sidewalk but was apprehended. From inside the trunk, agents and officers recovered a weighted blue bag that contained five kilogram-sized packages believed to contain fentanyl.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on November 21, 2022, agents and officers searched Hook’s residence, located at 880 Thieriot Avenue, Apt. 6D, and allegedly recovered 3 additional kilogram-sized packages of fentanyl and up to 10,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills from under the coffee table in the living room. The pills, believed to contain fentanyl, were light blue in color and stamped with the marking M30.  Also recovered were thousands of individual dose glassine envelopes, a stamp bearing an image of “Calvin” from the “Calvin and Hobbes” comic (used to brand glassines), a digital scale and other drug paraphernalia.

Preliminary field-testing indicated the kilogram packages contained fentanyl. Further DEA laboratory analysis is pending. DEA estimates the street value of the fentanyl seized to be approximately $2.5 million.

Hooks is in custody with bail set at $10,000 cash/$50,000 bond/$50,000 partially secured bond.

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and commended SNP’s Special Investigations Bureau, DEA New York Division, the New York Strike Force Financial Investigation Team and the New York City Police Department for their work on the investigation.

Defendant                                                             Charges

The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.