Andrew Cook, a 23-year-old from Long Branch, New Jersey, is behind bars after federal authorities nailed him for running a nationwide operation peddling methoxetamine hydrochloride — a dangerous hallucinogenic designer drug sold under the brand name MXE. Cook allegedly operated an illegal internet storefront called Downlow Labs, shipping psychoactive substances to customers across the country while manufacturing the drug out of his home.
Federal agents moved in after a months-long investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division. A raid on Cook’s Long Branch residence uncovered a full-scale drug lab: beakers, pill presses, rubber gloves, masks, shipping supplies, invoices, and approximately 395 grams of MXE stuffed into baggies clearly labeled with the drug’s name. Investigators also seized about $14,500 in cash, believed to be proceeds from the illicit sales.
Cook was taken into custody and made his initial appearance in the District of New Hampshire today before Magistrate Judge Andrea K. Johnstone. He’s charged with one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance analogue — a violation of the Federal Analogue Act — which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charge hinges on MXE’s chemical similarity to ketamine and PCP, both tightly controlled substances.
MXE belongs to the dissociative anesthetic class of drugs, producing hallucinogenic and out-of-body effects similar to PCP and PCE. Though not explicitly listed as a controlled substance, MXE qualifies as an illegal analogue under federal law because it’s structurally and pharmacologically similar to banned drugs — a loophole dealers often exploit. Cook’s Downlow Labs website allegedly marketed the substance as a legal high, preying on users seeking unregulated psychoactives.
“As alleged, Andrew Cook was the sole proprietor of an illegal online distributor of MXE, a dangerous hallucinogenic drug,” said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. “Thanks to the work of the DEA, Cook has been arrested and his illegal business taken offline.” DEA Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski added, “Mr. Cook was hiding behind the anonymity of his computer screen. We will continue to pursue those peddling their drugs whether they are selling them on the street or via the internet.”
The case was investigated by the DEA New Jersey Tactical Diversion Squad, the New Jersey State Police Hazardous Material Unit, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Long Branch Police Department, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dina McLeod is prosecuting. The Complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court outlines the charges, though all facts remain allegations until proven in court.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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