N.Y. Detectives Arrested in Drug Conspiracy Case

Two decorated New York police detectives along with a retired officer were arrested Wednesday on conspiracy charges alleging they were cocaine and heroin couriers for a Colombia-supplied drug ring, authorities said.

Detectives Willie Parson and Steve Fuller, both 43, and retired police officer Philip Moog, 55, were arrested by the FBI and ordered held without bail.

The detectives denied the charges through their attorneys.

“This appears to be a single-witness case against this highly decorated officer,” Parson’s attorney, John Jacobs, said during his client’s arraignment Wednesday in Brooklyn federal court.

Court documents claim the three were hired to take drugs to Detroit and Baltimore.

Their arrests grew from a three-year investigation that started with Francisco Ubejo and Miladys Tineo, who, informants told police, were selling cocaine and heroin from a clothing store.

Authorities had secretly recorded Tineo telling a police informant that she and Ubejo “had three cops” working for them, court papers said.

Tineo was arrested last month and told authorities that Parson, a homicide detective, was paid $3,000 a trip to take heroin to Detroit and return with cash. She also claimed to be the supplier for a heroin-dealing operation involving Parson and said he once failed to pay her $200,000.

Tineo claimed that Fuller, a warrant squad detective, and Moog made several deliveries to customers in Baltimore and Detroit. In some cases, the buyers paid $500 to $700 for each kilogram delivered, Tineo said.

In a sting operation that was carried out last month, Tineo arranged for Fuller to pick up fake cocaine. According to court papers, he delivered the package to an undercover agent in a Baltimore hotel room equipped with surveillance cameras.

Both Parson and Fuller joined the force in January 1982. Parson has earned 10 medals, and Fuller four, police officials said. The department does not comment on pending litigation.

Authorities said the officers drove private cars but carried their badges and used police pagers while committing their crimes.

“These detectives . . . betrayed the trust of the citizens of this city and broke faith with all of law enforcement,” said U.S. Atty. Loretta Lynch.