A former Miami-Dade County police detective has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for providing protection and tips to a major marijuana trafficking organization.
A federal judge imposed the sentence Tuesday on 46-year-old Roderick Silva, who previously pleaded guilty for his role in the pot ring. Under a plea agreement, Silva admitted tipping the gang to impending police raids, how to avoid police and locations of rival gang marijuana grow houses in exchange for cash.
The Miami Herald reports that Silva is the 21st person convicted in the prosecution of the Santiesteban gang, which began in 2012. Authorities say the organization distributed marijuana from Miami-area hydroponic grow houses throughout the East Coast.
