A former jail librarian has been indicted for allegedly helping smuggle papers that were soaked with K-2 synthetic weed into the Bristol County jail in Dartmouth, the sheriff announced today.

Ginger Hook, 46 of New Bedford, was charged along with four other co-conspirators, including 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 fake paperwork that had been infused with synthetic marijuana, the sheriff said.

Upon surveillance and a search, investigators found 13 sheets of K-2 paper disguised as legal work, estimated to be worth $65,000 when sold inside the jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Bristol County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the drug distribution ring that had smuggled in synthetic marijuana – known as K-2 or spice – in March.

The investigators found that Housley, an inmate, had allegedly sold K-2 regularly to other inmates, worth thousands of dollars, involving two other inmates and an associate on the outside.

Months of investigation also revealed the alleged help of a Sheriff’s Office employee, Hook, who had allegedly brought the drugs into the jail. The Sheriff’s Office alleges that Hook smuggled in K-2 paperwork in late 2024, February 2025 and March 2025.

Investigators surveilled Hook this summer and observed her entering the jail with paperwork inside a folder. A search of the folder found 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,” said Bristol County District Attorney Tom Quinn.

Sheriff Paul Heroux said 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 Attorney’s Office, as well as the New Bedford Regional Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted in this case.