Miami Cop Arrested On Cocaine Charge

MIAMI, FL – A Miami police officer was charged with possession of cocaine on Tuesday after he was allegedly seen inhaling a white substance at a Miami nightclub. Adrian Santos, a two-and-a-half-year veteran of the Miami Police Department was off duty and out of uniform when the incident took place at the E11even nightclub between Nov. 17-18.

"Every police officer who has taken an oath to enforce the law also has a duty to respect and follow the law," said Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. "There are no exceptions. Today's charges come after a vigorous criminal investigation undertaken by the Miami Police Department and the State Attorneys Office imed at ensuring the integrity of our law enforcement community."

The nightclub security director took possession of a plastic bag from Santos that contained a white powdery substance. Witnesses indicated that Santos was allegedly seen inhaling the white powdery substance, which was supported by surveillance video, according to prosecutors.

Santos was escorted out of the nightclub and turned over to fellow officers, who were working an off-duty security detail outside the nightclub at 29 NE 11th Street.

"At that point, it came to light that Santos was a city of Miami police officer," prosecutors said. "Santos was detained in a police vehicle and the officers took possession of the baggie continuing the white powdery substance, securing it in a police vehicle," according to the State Attorney's Office. "Upon completion of a forensic analysis, the white powdery substance was positively identified as cocaine."

Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes later told reporters that his officers must be held to a high standard. "Drug use is not tolerated in our agency," he said.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano