Carolyn Tolin, a 46-year-old resident of Centereach, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges connected to her narcotics operation on the dark web. Operating under the alias "MamaKnowsBrown," Tolin was convicted of several drug-related offenses, including Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree and Attempted Operating as a Major Trafficker, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney.
Tolin used a dark web marketplace to sell heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine to customers across the country. The platform allowed for user reviews and various shipping methods, generating over $75,000 in revenue between September 2024 and March 2025. Customers could leave ratings for the drugs they purchased and pay using cryptocurrency, which Tolin then converted to cash. She relied on local delivery services like Uber for distribution within Suffolk County, while utilizing USPS or UPS for broader shipments. Tolin exploited technology to run a deadly narcotics operation, choosing to harm the community while believing she could evade law enforcement.
Law enforcement's investigation led to a raid on Tolin's home on March 14, 2025, uncovering a large supply of illegal drugs along with tools used in her operation, such as packaging materials, a heat sealer, a digital scale, and custom overdose warning cards. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kristin Barnes and Matthew Laube of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, with investigative support from Richard Pedigo of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office and members of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Fentanyl Task Force.
After Tolin's guilty plea on November 20, 2025, Justice Richard I. Horowitz imposed a 15-year prison sentence the following year, with an additional five years of supervision upon her release. Throughout the trial, Tolin was represented by her attorney, Ian Fitzgerald. The conclusion of the case signals a strong message from Suffolk authorities about the serious consequences for those involved in online drug trafficking.
