Ex-NYPD detective Saed Rabah, 46, of Brooklyn, is headed to federal prison for 24 months after admitting he deliberately misled federal agents probing a narcotics ring. Rabah, once trusted to handle confidential informants, instead used his badge to shield a known drug dealer, helping him evade justice while deepening their illicit alliance.
The Southern District of New York unmasked Rabah’s betrayal after uncovering a pattern of obstruction that went beyond a single lie. In September 2016, when federal law enforcement asked Rabah for a contact number for the target—a cooperating witness turned rogue drug operator—Rabah didn’t just withhold the truth. He handed over a defunct phone number, knowing full well the man was still trafficking drugs using a different line. The real number? The one Rabah himself used to stay in touch.
The deception didn’t stop there. Rabah and the target traveled together to Las Vegas in July 2016, a luxury trip funded by illicit gains. Worse, Rabah tipped off the dealer when he spotted one of the man’s employees making a sloppy drug delivery—a move Rabah knew could bring heat from investigators. Instead of reporting it, he warned the criminal, ensuring the operation kept running.
Rabah pleaded guilty on December 14, 2018, to one count of obstructing a narcotics investigation. U.S. District Judge Vincent L. Briccetti handed down the 2-year sentence today, calling the abuse of power a stain on law enforcement. In addition to prison, Rabah must serve one year of supervised release and forfeit $10,000 in illicit benefits tied to his corruption.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman didn’t mince words: “As an NYPD detective, Saed Rabah’s first duty was to uphold the law, not befriend known drug dealers and assist in their criminal enterprises. Now Rabah, a convicted corrupt former police officer, will serve time alongside criminals he and his colleagues arrested.”
The case was led by the DEA’s Westchester Tactical Diversion Squad, a multi-agency task force that includes NYPD, Yonkers PD, Orangetown PD, and several county sheriff’s offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Celia V. Cohen prosecuted. The Southern District’s White Plains Division handled the case, underscoring the reach of federal oversight when local guardians go rogue.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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