A former jail librarian has been indicted for allegedly serving to smuggle papers that have been soaked with Okay-2 artificial weed into the Bristol County jail in Dartmouth, the sheriff introduced in the present day.
Ginger Hook, 46 of New Bedford, was charged together with 4 different co-conspirators, together with three inmates: Joseph Housley, 25 of Rehoboth; Brandin Barbosa-Mayo, 31 of New Bedford; Bestlee Vasquez, 33 of Somerset; and Axel Hazard, 23 of Rhode Island.
Hook allegedly smuggled into the jail pretend paperwork that had been infused with artificial marijuana, the sheriff mentioned.
Upon surveillance and a search, investigators discovered 13 sheets of Okay-2 paper disguised as authorized work, estimated to be value $65,000 when bought contained in the jail, in response to the sheriff’s workplace.
The Bristol County Sheriff’s Workplace started investigating the drug distribution ring that had smuggled in artificial marijuana – often called Okay-2 or spice – in March.
The investigators discovered that Housley, an inmate, had allegedly bought Okay-2 frequently to different inmates, value 1000’s of {dollars}, involving two different inmates and an affiliate on the surface.
Months of investigation additionally revealed the alleged assist of a Sheriff’s Workplace worker, Hook, who had allegedly introduced the medication into the jail. The Sheriff’s Workplace alleges that Hook smuggled in Okay-2 paperwork in late 2024, February 2025 and March 2025.
Investigators surveilled Hook this summer season and noticed her coming into the jail with paperwork inside a folder. A search of the folder discovered 13 sheets of paper.
“We are pleased to have collaborated with the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office through a special prosecutor in the investigation that has led to a number of indictments in this case,” mentioned Bristol County District Lawyer Tom Quinn.
Sheriff Paul Heroux mentioned he has “stepped up efforts to keep drugs out of the jail, including seeking prosecution, increasing the number of drug detection dogs in the K9 unit, and better screening of individuals coming into the jail.”
Heroux added that “illicit drugs in a correctional setting create many health and safety problems for staff and inmates.”
The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Lawyer’s Workplace, in addition to the New Bedford Regional Workplace of the Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted on this case.
