CLEVELAND OFFICER ZVONKO SARLOG ARRESTED ON COCAINE-RING CHARGE

Cleveland Patrolman Charged In Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

A Cleveland police officer was arrested Saturday night in connection
with a cocaine distribution ring after a lengthy FBI investigation.

Patrol-man Zvonko Sarlog is under a federal indictment for conspiracy
to distribute cocaine, police said. Six other people, none of them
police officers, were also indicted, police said.

Law enforcement officials said Sarlog, who was hired six years ago,
received the cocaine through a relative who brought the drugs to him
from Mexico. The relative also has been arrested.

"To be federally indicted relative to the distribution of cocaine in
the city of Cleveland, we consider a very serious offense," Cleveland
Police Chief Michael McGrath said.

The Cleveland police Internal Affairs unit began looking into Sarlog
at least nine months ago and asked the FBI to join the investigation,
McGrath said.

If he's found guilty, McGrath said, Sarlog owes an apology to all
Cleveland police officers for further endangering their lives and
eroding their efforts in the community.

Cleveland police and FBI agents arrested Sarlog about 10:30 p.m.
Saturday at the 2nd District police station after his shift.

Lt. James Muhic drew a shotgun on Sarlog, who was in uniform and
armed with a 9mm Glock. Sarlog dropped face down in the gravel of the
parking lot and was arrested.

On Sunday, plain-clothes officers searched Sarlog's Ottawa Road home
on the East Side, near Newburgh Heights. They appeared to take
weapons and ammunition from the house.

FBI spokesman Scott Wilson would not comment on the case. The FBI,
U.S. attorney's office and Cleveland police plan a news conference today.

Before this incident, Sarlog had an unremarkable history with the
department, said Stephen Loomis, president of the Cleveland Police
Patrolmen's Association. There was no disciplinary file for him at
union offices.

Between Jan. 1, 2003, and Sept. 9, 2006, Sarlog used non-deadly force
four times, issued 92 tickets and made 88 felony and misdemeanor arrests.

Sarlog was laid off in early 2004, Loomis said, but was called back
to duty before the end of the year.

A member of Sarlog's academy class told Loomis that Sarlog spent time
in Mexico after being laid off, Loomis said. He also told Loomis that
Sarlog owned a trucking company.

In February 2004, Sarlog and Ljubomir Rkman started a Cleveland
company called Meridian Express Inc., according to Ohio secretary of
state records.

Rkman, records show, has been involved in other trucking companies.

Loomis said the allegations are disappointing.

"This is going to give us a black eye," he said. "I don't want cops
dealing drugs in my department."

It's not the first time a Cleveland cop has been accused of drug trafficking.

A federal judge in 2000 sentenced Gregory Colon Jr. to 41 months in
prison for running a West Side cocaine distribution ring. FBI agents
and police internal affairs investigators caught Colon using tips
from fellow officers.

Sarlog's neighbors, Deborah and Mark Kruszewski, were surprised at his arrest.

They said they've known "Z" for at least eight years. He used to live
in another house in the neighborhood before buying the white and
mint-green house next door.

"You think you know people," Mark Kruszewski said. "I would have
never thought he'd ever be in trouble with the law."

"He is outgoing, loves cars and loves being a police officer,"
Deborah Kruszewski said. "He was so excited when he got into the
academy. He loves it."

Plain Dealer reporter Gabriel Baird contributed to this story.