Harriman resident and former NYPD officer Andrew Nguyen is shown in a vehicle on his way to a drug transaction (top) and picking up what he thought to be five kilograms of cocaine (bottom), in images released by federal officials. 

By Ben Crnic From Daily Voice

A former NYPD officer from Orange County has been indicted on a string of federal charges alleging that he used his badge to aid a drug trafficking ring, take bribes, and carry out corrupt activities across New York City, federal prosecutors announced. 

Andrew Nguyen, 41, of Harriman, was arrested Monday, Nov. 3, and charged with multiple counts of bribery, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and conspiracy following a years-long investigation involving the FBI and the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York said on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Federal prosecutors allege that from 2020 to 2023, while serving as an NYPD officer, Nguyen accepted more than $30,000 in bribes to help operate a drug enterprise. The indictment claims he transported cocaine for traffickers while armed with his NYPD-issued firearm, conducted illegal car stops under the guise of police work, and accessed confidential police databases to share information with drug dealers. 

In one case, Nguyen allegedly pretended to seize drugs during a fake car stop to help a trafficker avoid repaying a drug debt. Prosecutors also say he expressed willingness to kidnap or rob other dealers for payment and later took part in an undercover sting, transporting what he believed were five kilograms of cocaine in exchange for $5,000. 

However, these drugs were a "sham," prosecutors said, adding that he had obtained them from an undercover officer who pretended to be a drug dealer. 

Nguyen was terminated from the NYPD in December 2023 for misconduct unrelated to his alleged involvement in the drug enterprise, according to his indictment. After this, he continued to seek work as an employee of the drug trafficking network, prosecutors said. 

During his arrest, authorities reportedly recovered several weapons at his Harriman home, including two AR-15 rifles, a short-barreled rifle, a Glock handgun loaded with hollow-point ammunition, and high-capacity magazines.

Nguyen faces multiple felony charges carrying potential sentences of up to life in prison, including narcotics distribution, honest services fraud, and firearms possession in furtherance of drug trafficking. He was presented in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday afternoon.