Miami

Veteran Miami-Dade Detective Accused of Stealing Money From Drug Investigation

A 10-year Miami-Dade Police detective is facing a grand theft charge after authorities say he stole $1,300 that was supposed to be impounded as evidence in a drug investigation.

Detective Armando Socarras, 30, was relieved of duty without pay following his arrest Friday, Miami-Dade Police officials said. It's unknown if he has an attorney.

According to police, drugs and $17,427 in marked cash were seized after a search warrant was executed during the drug investigation. After the investigation, Socarras impounded the drugs and cash but was stopped by professional compliance bureau officers as he left.

Socarras admitted to keeping $1,300 of the money for personal reasons, officials said.

"The Miami-Dade Police Department values the trust we have built with our community and will always work to root out any employee who seeks to violate that trust," MDPD Assistant Director Alfredo Ramirez said in a statement.

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