Fort Erie man pleads guilty to sneaking meth and fentanyl across the border

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Eric Hagen, 57, of Fort Erie, Canada, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to importation of controlled substances, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1,000,000.

In June 2024, Hagen was convicted of possessing child pornography in St. Catharines, Ontario. On the morning of August 1, 2025, Customs and Border Protection encountered Hagen at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry, and he was referred for a secondary inspection. During Hagen's secondary screening, CBP found multiple cellular telephones, hard drives, a laptop, and a baby monitor, as well as two plastic containers, which contained methamphetamine and fentanyl.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Adler and Sasha Mascarenhas. The plea is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 22, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.

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