Miami Cop Roberto Asanza Arrested on Cocaine Distribution Charges

Yet another City of Miami police officer has been arrested on charges related to cocaine, but this case seems far more serious than when officer Joey Ganem was popped buying coke in Coconut Grove in April.Thirty-one-year-old officer Roberto Asanza has been arrested by the FBI after allegedly stealing large amounts...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

June 2, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Yet another City of Miami police officer has been arrested on charges related to cocaine, but this case seems far more serious than when officer Joey Ganem was popped buying coke in Coconut Grove in April.

Thirty-one-year-old officer Roberto Asanza has been arrested by the FBI after allegedly stealing large amounts of cocaine and marijuana after a police bust and then planned to sell the drugs himself.

According to NBC Miami, Asanza obtained ten bags of cocaine and two bags of marijuana during a bust on May 5. However, the drugs never found their way to the evidence room. Instead, the FBI alleges Asanza planned to sell them.

Twenty days after the bust, FBI agents searched Asanza's police cruiser and found the drugs. He was arrested on May 25, and bailed out of jail on Thursday.

The alleged cocaine cop-boy has been charged with possession with intent to distribute, and could face up to twenty years in jail if found guilty.

Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.