Ex-Miami Cop Who Aided Drug Ring Faces Sentencing

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NEWARK, N.J. (CBSMiami/AP) — A former Miami police officer could potentially be facing a life sentence after his admission to being part of a drug smuggling ring.

Ralph Mata is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court in Newark on Wednesday.

Mata was arrested last year. Prosecutors say the former Miami-Dade police lieutenant was nicknamed the "Milk Man" and allegedly helped drug traffickers bypass security at airports in New York and Miami.

Mata also allegedly used his airport connections to smuggle weapons concealed in luggage to the dealers and even suggested how they might carry out a potential hit on a rival gang.

He pleaded guilty in March to counts including aiding and abetting a narcotics conspiracy and conspiring to distribute cocaine.

Mata had been assigned to the police department's internal affairs unit to investigate departmental wrongdoing.

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