Officer Accused of Drug Trafficking Due in NJ Courtroom

A Miami-Dade police officer, who the FBI says was known as "the Milk Man," is due in federal court in New Jersey to face charges of aiding a narcotics trafficking organization.
 
Lt. Ralph Mata of Broward County, Fla., will make a first appearance Wednesday on charges of drug trafficking and illegal money transactions.
 
The 45-year-old is charged with helping New Jersey cocaine dealers move hundreds of thousands of dollars around. Prosecutors say he also helped traffickers bypass security at airports in New York and Miami.
 
Federal prosecutors say Mata orchestrated a murder-for-hire plot and provided law enforcement information to traffickers.
 
Attorney Bruce Fleisher says he will vigorously defend Mata against the charges.
 
Fleisher says Mata is expected to be released on bail.
 
Mata has been relieved of duty with pay.