NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Eight New York City policemen were charged yesterday with helping run a gun-smuggling ring in a city where Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leading a national campaign against illegal guns.
The U.S. District Attorney’s Office said the men “exploited their experience and credentials to assist in a variety of schemes involving the illegal interstate transportation of goods,” which included guns, slot machines, cigarettes and counterfeit goods.
Five officers still are on active duty and two were active-duty officers for part of the time they are accused of involvement in the smuggling schemes. One suspect was retired. All worked in the city borough of Brooklyn, most of them in the same precinct.
“The defendants participated in schemes involving the illegal interstate transportation of goods carrying a street value in excess of one million dollars,” according to the complaint. The schemes were carried out in the past year.
Also charged were a former officer with the New York City Department of Sanitation Police, a New Jersey corrections officer, and two other men.
