Operation 'Lucky Strike' Takes Down Dangerous Red Hook Drug Dealer: DA

RED HOOK, NY — An undercover operation took down a drug dealer, who police say used the bars and restaurants of the village as his office.

The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office says that its Drug Task Force arrested 43-year-old Robert Caroccio, of the Town of Milan, related to drug sales in the Village of Red Hook area.

"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," District Attorney Anthony P. Parisi said. "The defendant's alleged conduct, openly distributing cocaine in and around local restaurants and bars in the Village and Town of Red Hook, posed a direct threat to public safety and quality of life. I commend our Drug Task Force and law enforcement partners for their proactive work in identifying and dismantling this activity. Let this serve as a clear message to those who choose to traffic drugs in our communities, whether on a holiday or any other day, you will be identified, investigated, and held accountable."

The investigation started after the Drug Task Force received complaints and information from the public, business owners, members of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Patrol Bureau, the Red Hook Police Department, and the New York State Police about a narcotic and dangerous drug dealer operating in the Red Hook area.

Prosecutors say that Drug Task Force agents identified the alleged dealer as Caroccio, and purchased narcotics from him several times outside of different restaurants and bars in the Village of Red Hook.

On March 17, agents working undercover found Caroccio inside a local bar, and later took him into custody in the parking lot with the assistance of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Patrol Bureau and the Red Hook Police Department.

Caroccio was found to have several bags of cocaine packaged for sale on his person when taken into custody, according to the DA's Office.

Drug Task Force agents, along with the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Unit (SWAT), the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, and the Red Hook Police Department, responded to Caroccio's home and executed a search warrant. Authorities found evidence related to the distribution of cocaine, in addition to 40 caliber Glock magazines and ammunition, according to the DA's Office.

Caroccio was charged with felony third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; and felony fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Authorities say that several additional charges are pending against Caroccio.

He was later arraigned in the Village of Red Hook Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center.

The investigation was a collaboration between the Drug Task Force, the Red Hook Police Department, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, and the New York State Police.

Anyone who has information about these cases or about any others selling drugs in Dutchess County, is being urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040, by emailing your tips to this address, or by submitting a tip through the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office website.