MIAMI – Local 10 News has learned that the probe that led to the suspensions of four Miami police officers, including an internal affairs lieutenant, began with the January arrest of a Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputy.
That now-former deputy was Francisco Javier Melo, taken into custody as he was about to board the “Groove Cruise” music festival aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas cruise ship at PortMiami.
Melo, 36, was accused of buying and bringing ecstasy pills to sell aboard, packaged inside Skittles bags.
While the Miami Police Department hasn’t publicly identified the officers suspended with pay, Local 10 News has learned through sources that one of them is Lt. Frank Espinosa, who works in the agency’s internal affairs division.
Also suspended are two detectives and another supervisor.
Sources said the two detectives were said to be a part of Melo’s drug trafficking, while the suspended sergeant and lieutenant are suspected of helping them avoid drug testing and in the cover-up.
MPD Chief Manny Morales said on Tuesday, after the suspensions were announced, “I will not tolerate anyone amongst our ranks that will tarnish the badge or break the oath they make to this community.”
All indications are that more suspensions are to come.
