Fort Erie man pleads guilty to smuggling meth, fentanyl into U.S.
· Toronto Sun
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A Fort Erie man previously convicted of possessing child pornography has now pleaded guilty to smuggling methamphetamine and fentanyl into the U.S.
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According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Western New York, Eric Hagen, 57, faces up to 20 years in a U.S. federal prison and a US$1-million fine.
Prosecutors said that on Aug. 1, 2025, Hagen was at the Peace Bridge linking Fort Erie to Buffalo when he was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. Suspicious officers referred Hagen for a secondary inspection.
During the inspection, officers found multiple electronic devices, including cellular phones, hard drives, a laptop, and a baby monitor.
And bingo! In addition, they discovered two plastic containers containing methamphetamine and fentanyl. Officials did not disclose the quantity or value of the drugs.
No date has been set for his sentencing in the case.
Previous conviction
Hagen is no stranger to encounters with cops.
In June 2024, he was convicted in St. Catharines of possessing child pornography.
In March of that year, the Niagara Regional Police’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit and Technological Crimes Unit had charged Hagen.
Cops raided a Fort Erie residence and seized a number of electronic devices. Investigators then performed forensic examination of the equipment. The suspect, Hagen, however, was nowhere in sight.
Previous encounters with the courts
Two months later, he made Niagara’s Most Wanted List with pending charges for two counts of possession of child pornography and accessing child pornography. A tipster told cops where Hagen was hiding and officers found and detained him. He was also charged with resisting arrest.
A second Fort Erie man detectives believed was aiding and abetting Hagen while he was on the lam was also charged with accessory after the fact for committing an indictable offence.
In the spring of 2019, Hagen was arrested for breaking into a cargo trailer in Fort Erie. A quantity of personal items valued at about $500 were stolen.
Cops obtained CCTV from the area and identified a suspect and vehicle. Hagen was charged with break and enter, commit theft.
In 2017, Hagen was charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and fail to comply with recognizance in connection with the theft of a Sea-Doo.
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