A former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, Andrew Nguyen, has been charged with multiple offenses including bribery, narcotics trafficking, firearms violations, and robbery. The charges stem from Nguyen’s alleged involvement in a drug trafficking enterprise while he was serving as an NYPD officer. He was arrested on Tuesday morning and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated: “The NYPD is the most professional and most effective police department in the world. New Yorkers rely on and trust the women and men of the NYPD. As alleged, Andrew Nguyen not only breached that trust for profit, but he also committed crimes against his fellow New Yorkers. New Yorkers, including our thousands of dedicated NYPD officers, want him brought to justice.”
Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, said: “Andrew Nguyen allegedly levied his official position as an NYPD officer to accept more than $30,000 in bribes in exchange for transporting narcotics and providing unauthorized armed protection to their illicit operations. Nguyen’s alleged support to a drug trafficking enterprise directly violated the oath he swore to uphold as well as the public’s trust. While the vast majority of our NYPD partners are deeply committed to honoring their duty to protect and serve, the FBI will never tolerate those who besmirch the badge for personal profit.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch added: “The NYPD holds its officers to the highest standards, and it’s an affront to our department when someone so blatantly abuses the public’s trust. Andrew Nguyen allegedly endangered the communities he was sworn to protect and put his fellow officers’ lives in danger. The NYPD has zero tolerance for corruption of any kind, and I thank the members of the department who investigated this case and our partners in the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office for their support in rooting out this misconduct.”
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, between 2020 and November 2023 Nguyen accepted over $30,000 in bribes from another individual identified as CC-1 while assisting with CC-1’s drug trafficking operation.
Prosecutors allege that Nguyen transported drugs—including approximately eight kilograms of cocaine—while armed with his service weapon; drove CC-1 to meetings related to drug transactions; accessed confidential police databases at CC-1’s request; offered for payment to arrest rival drug dealers; used an official vehicle for an unsanctioned car stop staged as part of a scheme involving false reports; expressed willingness (though did not act) on plans involving kidnapping or robbing individuals tied to criminal debts; and participated in undercover operations where he believed he was moving five kilograms of cocaine.
At his arrest earlier Tuesday morning at his home in Harriman, New York, law enforcement recovered several firearms—including loaded pistols and rifles—as well as high-capacity magazines containing hollow-point ammunition.
Nguyen faces several federal charges:
– Honest services wire fraud (maximum 20 years)
– Conspiracy charges related both to honest services wire fraud (maximum 20 years) and bribery (maximum 5 years)
– Solicitation/receipt of a bribe (maximum 10 years)
– Conspiracy/distribution/possession with intent regarding cocaine/marijuana (mandatory minimum 10 years up to life)
– Possession of a firearm during a drug offense (mandatory minimum 5 years consecutive up to life)
– Conspiracy/attempted Hobbs Act robbery (maximum 20 years)
– Attempted distribution/possession with intent regarding cocaine (mandatory minimum 10 years up to life)
Sentencing guidelines are determined by Congress but actual sentences will be decided by a judge.
Jay Clayton commended both FBI investigators and members of NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau for their work on this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew J. King and Jonathan Rebold are prosecuting this matter within both Public Corruption Unit and Narcotics Unit.
