City of Miami Police Officer Arrested and Charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Scott A. Gilbert, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Miguel Exposito, Chief, City of Miami Police Department (MPD), announced that Roberto Asanza, 31, of Miami, was arrested and charged in a criminal complaint, unsealed today, with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841. If convicted of this charge, the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of twenty (20) years in prison.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, on May 5, 2010, Asanza, a six-year veteran of the City of Miami Police Department, and other members of the MPD Crime Suppression Unit arrested an individual for selling narcotics at a shop on N.W. 7th Avenue. At the arrest, MPD recovered numerous bags containing cocaine and marijuana. On May 25, 2010, Asanza’s MPD vehicle was searched, and FBI agents recovered approximately 10 bags containing cocaine, and two bags containing marijuana. The complaint alleges that these drugs were the same seized on May 5, 2010.

Asanza made his initial appearance this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Ted E. Bandstra. He was released on a personal surety bond.

Mr. Ferrer commended the officers of the City of Miami Police Department Internal Affairs Section, Anti-Corruption Unit and the Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work on this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan R. Osborne.

A complaint is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.