Florida Police Lieutenant Charged With Aiding Drug Trafficking Organization

Newark, N.J. (AP) – Federal law enforcement authorities in New Jersey say a lieutenant with the Miami-Dade Police Department has been charged with allegedly aiding a narcotics trafficking organization.

New Jersey's U.S. attorney says Ralph Mata of Broward County, Fla., was arrested Tuesday morning in Miami Gardens. The 45-year-old, who is also known as 'the Milk Man,' is charged in an alleged scheme to distribute cocaine from the Dominican Republic in New Jersey and elsewhere.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman says Mata also allegedly orchestrated a murder-for-hire plot, provided firearms and sensitive law enforcement information and facilitated the transport of drug proceeds.

It is not immediately known if he has an attorney.

Mata is with the police department's internal affairs division.

He is due in federal court Wednesday in the Southern District of Florida.