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Ex-Cop Gets 40 Years for Drug Deal Security
A former police officer of Puerto Rico is going to prison for 40 years after being found guilty of providing security for drug transactions, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Joseph S. Campbell of the FBI’s San Juan Division.
Javier A. Diaz Castro, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gustavo A. Gelpi for the District of Puerto Rico. Diaz, a 10-year veteran of the police force, was assigned to the frauds unit at the time of the transactions.
The former cop was convicted on Dec. 12, 2011, of two counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, two counts of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug transaction.
Diaz was charged in an indictment unsealed on Oct. 6, 2010, along with 88 other law enforcement officers in Puerto Rico and 44 other individuals, as part of the FBI undercover operation known as Guard Shack. To date, 128 of the charged defendants have pleaded guilty or have been convicted at trial, including Diaz.
According to the evidence presented in court, on at least two occasions in 2010, Diaz provided security for what he believed were a series of illegal drug deals, but which in fact were part of the undercover FBI operation. Diaz received cash payments of $2,000 per transaction, based on his departmental training and using his service weapon.
The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Eric L. Gibson and Barak Cohen of the Public Integrity Section in the Criminal Division. The case was investigated by the FBI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico also participated in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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