Sheriff: Former sheriff’s dept. librarian smuggled $65,000 in drugs into Dartmouth jail

DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WLNE) — Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux announced what he is calling “perhaps the largest alleged employee drug bust in Bristol County jail history” on Monday.

According to Heroux, a former employee of the Dartmouth jail was indicted on October 20 along with four alleged co-conspirators in an alleged drug-smuggling scheme.

Ginger Hook, 46, of New Bedford, worked as the Coordinator of Library Services for the sheriff’s office, most recently at the Bristol County Jail.

The Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) initiated an investigation into an alleged drug distribution ring that they believed was smuggling synthetic marijuana into the facility.

The investigation was dubbed “Operation Fish Hook.”

The inquiry into the presence of “K-2” began in March of 2025, which revealed that inmate Joseph Housley, 25, of Rehoboth, was allegedly selling thousands of dollars worth of the drug.

In order to facilitate these alleged sales to fellow inmates, Housley allegedly enlisted two former inmates and another individual outside the jail to assist.

The three alleged co-conspirators were identified as Brandin Barbosa-Mayo, 31, of New Bedford, Bestlee Vasquez, 33, of Somerset and Axel Hazard, 23, of Rhode Island.

Months into the case, the SIU learned that Housley had allegedly enlisted a sheriff’s employee into the operation.

Hook was identified by the SIU as the inside person allegedly helping the group smuggle in K-2 “paperwork,” pages disguised as legal documents but actually infused with the drug.

Hook allegedly helped smuggle the paperwork into the facility three times; in late 2024 and in February and March of 2025.

SIU personnel learned that Hook would allegedly be shepherding in another delivery of K-2 papers to Housley in June of 2025.

June 9 SIU surveillance footage allegedly showed Hook entering the jail and trying to conceal paperwork in a folder that she brought in from outside.

Hook was searched by SIU, and investigators found 13 sheets of paper brought in on the pretense of legal work, according to the Sheriff Heroux.

The sheets were tested and found to be infused with alleged K-2, which would have been sold for a total of approximately $65,000 inside the jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

Hook resigned from her position in July.

Charges in the case are expected to be announced at a later date.