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Texas Cop Stands Trial for Bogus Drug Busts

No, it's not the infamous Tulia, Texas bogus drug case. It's the trial of former Senior Cpl. Mark Delapaz, a Dallas cop charged with manufacturing dozens of bogus drug cases against immigrants in order to meet a personal goal of 100 kilos a month of cocaine busts:

Opening statements began Wednesday in the trial of a former Dallas police officer accused of submitting false reports and lying to FBI agents in a drug scandal that put dozens of innocent immigrants in jail.

Former Senior Cpl. Mark Delapaz lied regarding drug cases in order to reach his goal of 100 kilograms worth of drug busts, prosecutor Jeffrey Blumberg told jurors. "He lied to judges, he lied to prosecutors, and he lied to the FBI. That's what this case is all about," Blumberg said.

Delapaz is charged with "five counts of deprivation of rights under the color of law and one count of making false statements to federal officials." The maximum penalty is ten years in jail.

The evidence against Delapaz includes the drugs: Some were ground gypsum or other legal substances. As a result of the Delapaz's actions, 80 drug cases were dismissed and several immigrants have sued the city. Among the witnesses will be the informant used by Delapaz-- Enrique Alonso was paid $225,000 to set up the bogus deals.

Delapaz's defense: "He was fooled by manipulative drug informants."

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