Opa-Locka Police Captain Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Charges

Cop facing 40 years in prison for participating in drug trafficking organization

An Opa-Locka Police captain has pleaded guilty to charges related to his participation in the distribution of cocaine, Ecstacy and Oxycodone, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Friday.

Arthur Balom, 44, plead guilty to the charges Thursday and faces a maximum of 40 years in prison when he's sentenced on Dec. 17.

Prosecutors said Balom, of Miramar, was part of a drug trafficking organization that operated out of an apartment complex in Opa-Locka called "The Back Blues."

No Bond for Opa-Locka Police Captain Facing Drug Charges

While he was a captain on the force, Balom aided and abetted the distribution of drugs by providing the group with information related to police activity in the area, directing officers to leave the area and assisting members of the organization when they came into contact with law enforcement.

In one instance, the FBI gave Balom a notebook with photos of suspects related to an armed robbery and asked him about a suspected co-conspirator. The next day, he met with that very suspect and showed him the notebook provided by the FBI, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Balom also provided some of the members of the drug organization with ballistic vests, authorities said.

FBI agents arrested Balom last November following a two-year investigation into drug trafficking in Opa-Locka, authorities said. Seven other people were also arrested and charged in the drug organization.

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