Policeman in New York collaborated with drug dealers: he faces life imprisonment
'10.11.2020'
Vita Popova
A police officer and three other suspects were arrested for their involvement in drug trafficking in New York. If the cop is proven guilty, then he faces from 10 years in prison to life in prison. This is reported by the edition Daily News.
Amaury Abreu, 34, who served in the NYPD for nine years, has been charged with helping drug traffickers from the Dominican Republic.
He reportedly helped them access the police database and check the warrants. Abreu also provided drug traffickers with information on how law enforcement works. Moreover, he is suspected of personally distributing cocaine for this organization. This was announced on November 9 by federal prosecutors.
The policeman even traveled to the Dominican Republic to meet with senior members of the organization this year, according to the feds. On Monday he was arrested at his home in Hauppauge, New York.
On March 11, 2016, the leader of the group sent Abreu the name, date of birth and social security number of a high-ranking member of the organization, Gustavo Valerio. “On the same day, Abreu searched the database for Valerio's name - despite the fact that he had no legal basis to do so. A few days later, presumably after learning that his warrant was checked, Valerio went to the Dominican Republic, ”US Assistant Attorney Erin Reid wrote in the court case.
When Abreu was arrested, he denied checking the warrant; this could lead to an accusation of lying to a federal agent, Reed noted.
On the subject: New York Police Seize Coronavirus-Branded Heroin
Other people indicted in this case are Valerio, Julio Bautista and Cesar Diaz-Bautista.
The indictment alleges that the gang negotiated between 2016 and October 2020 to bring cocaine into the United States. Federal prosecutors did not reveal the name of the organization for which the suspects allegedly worked. Prosecutors only clarified that the organization smuggles cocaine into the United States through couriers and uses corrupt customs officials to allow couriers to import drugs through airports.
Bautista and Diaz-Bautista were also charged with possession of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, according to the indictment.
Abreu worked at the 113th police station in Queens. If they prove his guilt, he faces at least 10 years in prison or life imprisonment.
According to a spokesman for the New York police, Abreu was suspended from work without pay pending the results of the case. “There is no place for corruption in the NYPD and will always be prosecuted in full. We pay tribute to our Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) investigators and law enforcement partners in this case, ”said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea.
Abreu pleaded innocent of all charges Monday afternoon and was released on home detention and $ 1 million bail.
