A veteran New York City cop was indicted Thursday on charges he helped a crew of bandits steal money and drugs from drug dealers.
Emmanuel Tavarez, 30, who has been part of the force for eight years, has been charged with robbery conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine and other drugs and using a firearm in relation to robbery and drug charges.
If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
Brooklyn prosecutors claims Taverez supplied the crew with NYPD raid jackets, bulletproof vests, handcuffs and badges so they could pose as real-life police officers and execute raids on drug dens in Queens and other unspecified locations.
In addition, Taverez is accused of acting as a lookout during the armed holdups that reportedly netted more than 250 kilograms of cocaine and $1 million in proceeds.
Drug Enforcement Administration officials tracked Taverez down Wednesday and arrested him.
The crew allegedly executed more than 100 armed robberies in the New York City area.
Eight other people are also facing charges in the case.
Officials say Tavarez is related to four of the co-defendants by marriage.
