Police: Essex County Sheriff's Officer Tipped Off Drug Dealers During Investigation

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- An Essex County Sheriff's Officer is accused of tipping off drug dealers at the center of a heroin distribution ring investigation.

Police said Sheriff's Officer Robert Andrews, 28, gave information to the subjects of the investigation and assisted in identifying law enforcement officers to members of the distribution ring.

Andrews has been suspended without pay since July 2, according to Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura.

The seven-month investigation by members of the Essex County Narcotics Task Force, dubbed Operation T.I.D.E., resulted in dozens of arrests.

The operation also resulted in the seizure of $31,064 in cash, as well as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, promethazine syrup, and Oxycontin with a street value of $10,000, prosecutors said.

The drug trafficking ring was run by members of the 793 Bloods, a street gang operating throughout Essex County, according to prosecutors.

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