Second Yuba City Police Officer Placed On Leave In Cocaine-Trafficking Investigation
YUBA CITY (CBS13) — A day after the arrest of a Yuba City Police officer, accused of playing a role in drug deals, there is more than just his guilt or innocence in question.
Sutter County District Attorney Amanda Hopper says she's frustrated after hearing Yuba City Police officer Harminder Phagura is now facing federal charges of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, using his authority in the alleged crime.
"He clearly has credibility issues, so we are going to have to evaluate all the potential cases where he is a witness or an investigating officer, and determine whether or not we can proceed with prosecution," she said.
Some current cases may have to be dropped.
"If he is the only officer that investigated the case and the only one who could testify to pertinent information we probably won't be able to proceed with prosecution, because we're not going to be using him as a witness," she said.
As Phagura remains out on bail, his co-defendant Gursharan Phagura remained in custody and in front of a judge on Thursday. Attorneys say they reportedly found a gun, body armor and a Yuba City Police officer's uniform.
The officer named who allegedly gave his uniform was not Phagura, but another officer. The district attorney says the investigation is ongoing, and wouldn't comment on the involvement of more officers in this case.
That second police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave. The officer's identity hasn't been released since he has yet to be named a suspect in the investigation .
