Merlin Alston, 33, a former New York City Police Officer, was convicted in Manhattan federal court Tuesday on charges tied to a sprawling drug distribution conspiracy that pumped cocaine and molly into the Bronx for years. The jury found Alston guilty on two counts: conspiracy to distribute narcotics and possession of firearms in furtherance of that conspiracy. The verdict caps a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon, exposing deep rot within the ranks of those sworn to uphold the law.
Far from protecting the public, Alston used his badge as a weapon of profit, prosecutors revealed. From 2010 to 2014, he personally delivered approximately 40 kilograms of cocaine while actively serving with the NYPD. He didn’t just move drugs—he armed himself with a shotgun and his NYPD-issued service weapon to provide security for a major Bronx cocaine trafficker. His role wasn’t incidental; it was operational, calculated, and sustained over four years of betrayal.
Alston also weaponized his position by funneling confidential law enforcement intelligence to drug dealers. He tipped off suspects about impending arrests and ongoing surveillance operations, effectively sabotaging investigations from within. This inside access gave traffickers a green light to operate with impunity—while real officers risked their lives chasing ghosts.
“Rather than use his police badge and gun to serve and protect the citizens of New York City, Merlin Alston instead chose to protect and serve major Bronx drug dealers,” said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. “Today’s unanimous jury verdict demonstrates that no one is above the law.” The message was clear: corruption at the highest levels of trust will be met with the full force of federal justice.
DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt called Alston’s actions an “about-face to law enforcement.” As members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force worked to dismantle drug networks, Alston was actively feeding them. “He was pushing drugs into the communities we’re trying to save,” Hunt said. The DEA, FBI, and NYPD collaborated on the investigation, a bitter irony given that one of their own had become the enemy.
Alston now faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 2, 2017, before Chief Judge McMahon. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Lenow and Thomas McKay of the Southern District’s Narcotics Unit, with critical support from the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. The DEA New York Drug Enforcement Task Force—made up of DEA, NYPD, and New York State Police officers—stands as both investigator and symbol of the system Alston betrayed.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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