On October 5, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the southern District of Florida announced that Arthur Balom of Miramar, an Opa-Locka Police Department captain, pled guilty to participating in the distribution of cocaine, ecstasy, and oxycodone throughout the city of Opa-Locka. Balom is scheduled for sentencing on December 17, 2012, and he faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer, Michael B. Steinbach with the FBI, Hugo Barrera of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Naim Erched of the Miami-Dade Police Department, and Addy M. Villanueva of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
According to statements made during the plea hearing, captain Balon was involved in a drug trafficking organization that operated in the Opa-Locka apartment complex. The drug trafficking organization is known as “The Black Blues.” The statements also indicate that captain Balom used his knowledge as a police officer to aid and abet in the drug distribution ring.
The FBI reports that captain Balom provided the drug organization with police activity in the area, directed multiple officers to leave the area, and assisted multiple members of the of organization when they were approached by law enforcement.
In one case, the FBI gave captain Balom a notebook that contained photographs of numerous suspects that were connected to an armed robbery and proceeded to ask Balom about a co-conspirator. After Balom talked with FBI agents, he met with the co-conspirator the following day and showed him evidence within the notebook. The FBI also reports that Balom provided drug organization members with ballistic vests.
U.S. Attorney Ferrer thanked the FBI, the Miami-Area Corruption Task Force, the ATF, the MDPD, and the FDLE for their roles in the investigation. U.S. Attorney Ferrer also thanked the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
