Harminder Phagura, 35, was taken into custody based on a criminal complaint accusing the men of conspiring to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and use of a communication facility in narcotics trafficking activity, according to a news release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
SACRAMENTO —A Yuba City police officer was among the men arrested on federal charges Wednesday, accused of getting involved with a cocaine-trafficking scheme, investigators said.
Harminder Phagura, 35, was taken into custody based on a criminal complaint accusing the men of conspiring to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and use of a communication facility in narcotics trafficking activity, according to a news release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The other suspect has been identified as 39-year-old Gursharan Phagura, of Roseville. The two men are believed to be related.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner said that Harminder Phagura provided official information to Gursharan Phagura. “Essentially acted as a lookout for transactions that were staged by Homeland Security investigations,” Wagner said.
The investigation initially targeted Gursharan Phagura. According to court documents, authorities busted him for drug trafficking in 2011 and became a confidential informant in exchange for a lighter sentence. However, he was removed after he lied to them, according to federal investigators.
“I’m shocked, saddened and disappointed to hear about the arrest of officer Phagura and his involvement in this case,” said police chief Robert Landon.
Harminder Phagura was already released from jail on $100,000 bond following an initial appearance in federal court.
Gursharan Phagura remains jailed, pending a detention hearing.
Landon said Phagura had been on medical leave since December. However, court documents state he still had access to his patrol vehicle and equipment to help his relative with that they thought were real drug dealings.
Phagura served for roughly five years, first as a reserve officer, then as a full-time patrol officer in 2011, Landon said. His only other ancillary duty is serving as a hostage negotiator.
Homeland Security investigations had been looking into the activities of Gursharan Phagura.
“According to information in the complaint affidavit, which was unsealed today, special agents developed information during the course of the investigation implicating Officer Phagura in the scheme,” the news release said.
The Yuba City Police Department has fully cooperated with the investigation.
Officials on Wednesday also served search warrants at three places tied to the defendants, including two homes in Yuba City and another in Roseville.
