Pubdate: Wed, 13 Feb 2002
Source: New York Times (NY)
Section: New York Region
Copyright: 2002 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Al Baker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption)

OFFICER CHARGED IN POSSESSION OF COCAINE

A New York police officer was charged with drug possession after he was 
caught in a sting operation transporting half a kilogram of cocaine in 
Upper Manhattan, law enforcement officials said yesterday.

The officer, Derwin Blanks, was suspended without pay and could face 
dismissal from the force, the police said. He was held in $15,000 bail 
after his arraignment yesterday and could face up to life in prison if 
convicted, officials said.

According to the felony complaint, Officer Blanks, 31, who was assigned to 
a subway beat in Upper Manhattan, was arrested Monday night after he left a 
BMW with half a kilogram of cocaine in the trunk on a street in Washington 
Heights. Investigators said he had picked up the cocaine -- worth $15,000 
to $20,000 on the street -- as well as a $1,500 cash payment from a police 
informer. The police said Officer Blanks then drove to 736 West 173rd 
Street, near Fort Washington Avenue, where he left the car for drug dealers 
to retrieve.

Law enforcement officials said that the case appeared to be isolated and 
that they did not believe it was linked to wider police corruption. In 
Manhattan Criminal Court yesterday, Officer Blanks pleaded not guilty 
before Judge Arlene R. Silverman, said John P. Tynan, a Patrolmen's 
Benevolent Association lawyer. Mr. Tynan said he believed Officer Blanks 
was set up by a criminal defendant "looking to lower his sentence" by 
cooperating with the authorities. "I think he's clearly innocent of being 
involved in drugs," Mr. Tynan said of Officer Blanks.
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