DEA: Gloversville man caught with deadly carfentanil

PHOTOGRAPHER: Shutterstock Image

Justin M. Brooker

GLOVERSVILLE — The deadliest opioid available on the streets of America has been found for the first time Upstate — in Gloversville, authorities said.

An investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Agency and Gloversville Police resulted in the seizure of carfentanil, a drug the DEA calls the most potent opioid on the market.

An undercover buyer led authorities to arrest Justin M. Brooker, 25, of 43 Third St., on June 28, after a raid that resulted in the first seizure of the drug in New York State, according to the DEA.

The arrest has Gloversville police taking extra measures in their fight against the opioid epidemic; the department will now equip officers with higher amounts of Narcan to counter the effects of the more potent drug.

Gloversville Police are also improving their drug-testing equipment, according to Lt. Brad Schaffer.

Brooker faces two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, both felonies. He also faces felony charges of third-degree possession of a controlled substance.

According to the indictment, Brooker sold carfentanil and oxycodone to the police informant in March and April.