An Opa-Locka Police captain facing drug trafficking charges was denied bond Friday.
Capt. Arthur Balom was in federal court making his first appearance, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gilfarb went into detail about how the government believes Balom was deeply involved in a massive drug distribution ring in Opa-Locka.
Gilfarb also told the judge that authorities think Balom sold bulletproof vests to members of the drug ring and even tipped off one suspected drug dealer that authorities were looking for him.
Outside the courtroom, Police Benevolent Association attorney Michael Cornely said all of the allegations are false.
Cornely said Balom did get close get to members of this drug ring but did it in his capacity as a member of a drug task force.
"They're investigating these people, this crime ring, and see him come up, his pictures are there, so they go to him and he says 'Yeah, I'm out there becasue I was told be friendly with these people, get to know them,'" said Cornely.
Balom, a veteran of the Opa-Locka Police Department, was arrested by FBI agents at his Miramar home Thursday morning.
According to an indictment, Balom is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, Ecstasy and Oxycodone. The cocaine charge carries a maximum of 40 years behind bars, while the Ecstasy and Oxycodone charges carry a maximum of 20 years behind bars.
Also charged in the indictment are Toriano Johnson, 36; Terrence Johnson, 38; Dwayne Miller, 27; Jermaine Parrish, 29; Antwan Davis, 29; Lawrence Benbow, 35; and Justin Jean, 27.
It was unknown if any of the other defendants had attorneys.
Prosecutors say the indictment followed a two-year investigation into drug trafficking in Opa-Locka involving federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
"We're taking the matter very seriously," said Opa-Locka City Manager Bryan Finnie said Thursday. "We are surprised, shocked and disappointed, but we will deal with this aggressively once the facts unfold."
