Drug Task Force – Operation Lucky Strike Red Hook

The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force reports the arrest of Robert Caroccio, age 43, in the Village of Red Hook related to narcotic and dangerous drug sales in the Red Hook area.  

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

As a result of this intelligence Drug Task Force Agents deployed to the Red Hook area and identified the alleged dealer as Robert Caroccio.  Drug Task Force Agents began purchasing narcotics from the defendant on multiple occasions outside of various restaurants and bars in the Village of Red Hook.  On Saint Patrick’s Day Drug Task Force Agents working undercover located the defendant inside a local bar and later took him into custody in the parking lot area with the assistance of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau and Red Hook Police Department.   The Defendant was found to have multiple bags of cocaine packaged for sale on his person when taken into custody.

Drug Task Force Agents with the assistance of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit (SWAT), the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and the Red Hook Police responded to the defendant’s residence in the Town of Milan and executed a search warrant.   As a result of this warrant evidence was secured related to the distribution of cocaine as well as 40 caliber Glock magazines and ammunition.  

Robert Caroccio was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, a class B Felony and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th degree, a class C felony.  *Several charges are pending against the defendant related to this investigation.

The defendant was later arraigned in the Village of Red Hook Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center, formerly known as the Dutchess County Jail.

This investigation was the result of collaboration and intelligence sharing between the Drug Task Force, Red Hook Police Department, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police.

District Attorney Anthony P. Parisi -“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’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.”

REPORT A DRUG ACTIVITY

If anyone has information regarding these cases 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, by emailing your tips to Drugtaskforcetips@gmail.com, or by submitting a tip through the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office website at www.dutchessda.org.