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Updated: 6:52 PM Dec 1, 2008
Former police officer charged with felony drug offense
Benton Harbor Former Benton Harbor Police Officer Andrew Collins has been arrested for possession and intent to sell cocaine and other drugs.
Posted: 11:13 AM Dec 1, 2008Reporter: Alana Greenfogel Email Address: Alana.Greenfogel@WNDU.com |
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Former Benton Harbor Police Officer Andrew Collins, 26, has been arrested for possession and intent to sell drugs.
Collins was a Narcotics Officer and responsible for investigating and arresting people who use or sell drugs. He's accused of violating that responsibility, for example, not turning in all the drugs he confiscated while on duty.
To catch drug dealers, undercover informants act out a drug deal to get proof before making an arrest. It's called a controlled purchase. The federal officers tell us Collins lied about doing controlled purchases so he could get the warrants, enter the homes, and take drugs if they were there.
Officials say people may have been wrongfully arrested under Collins hands. Prosecutors are now going back to reevaluate the cases the former officer had his hands in.
"This was more than just the failure to abide by the rules and regulations of the police department. This was unlawful and criminal conduct," says Brian Delaney, U.S. Attorney's Office.
After rumors reached high officials within the Benton Harbor Police Department, they investigated and found 9 grams of crack cocaine, as well as marijuana and heroine in Collins' possession, including his work locker.
"If a person does wrong enough long enough, something will surface and in this case I believe that's exactly what took place," Benton Harbor Police Chief Alan Mingo shares.
The United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI are now handling the case.
Collins faces a minimum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment and a fine of $2,000,000, if convicted.
In February, Collins was found guilty of assaulting a bar bouncer, leaving him with a broken skull.
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