FBI ARRESTS TWO OPA-LOCKA OFFICERS ON DRUG CHARGES

MIAMI- The FBI arrested two Opa-locka police officers on drug charges
Wednesday as part of a task force's investigation into public corruption.

Officers William Booker and Robert Kukowinski were charged with drug
possession with the intent to distribute, complaints filed in federal court
said. Booker also was charged with possession and sale of a stolen firearm.

The investigation into Kukowinski began in January after the Opa-locka
Police Department forwarded complaints from area residents and street
informants to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Kukowinski, 38, was frisking drug dealers and residents and removing their
drugs and money without making arrests or writing reports, an FBI affidavit
said. Kukowinski later sold drugs he had taken, the affidavit said.

Witnesses told authorities that Kukowinski smoked crack cocaine and that
Kukowinski said he stole drugs from the department's property and evidence
room, the FBI said.

FBI agents also witnessed Kukowinski buy $100 worth of crack cocaine at a
house on June 7 while wearing his police uniform, the affidavit said.

Booker, 25, is accused of searching a drug dealer's apartment and removing
a Colt AR-15 assault rifle without taking the weapon into evidence, the
affidavit said.

On June 11, Booker sold the rifle for $600 and a quarter ounce of cocaine
for $200, the FBI said.

The FBI, Miami-Dade Police Department and Florida Department of Law
Enforcement investigated the officers.

Both men appeared Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana Snow in
Fort Lauderdale and were released on $100,000 bond each.

Kukowinski faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted. Booker faces
30 years in prison.

Booker's lawyer, Abe Bailey, didn't immediately return a call seeking
comment. Kukowinski said during the hearing that he wanted a
court-appointed lawyer. The federal public defender's office didn't
immediately return a call seeking comment after hours Wednesday.

Opa-locka is located in north Miami-Dade County.