10 Cook County sheriff's correctional officers Accused of of protecting 'drug dealers'

The AP reports on Crook County:

Fifteen law enforcement officers and two others were charged Tuesday with providing security for drug shipments and other crimes that actually were staged as part of a series of elaborate FBI sting operations.

In two cases, the officers met planes arriving at a suburban airport believing they were piloted by drug runners, and guarded duffel bags of supposed narcotics as they were taken to drop-off points for collection by "dealers."

But the pilots were federal agents -- as were those who presented themselves as drug dealers.

Those charged included 10 Cook County sheriff's correctional officers, four suburban Harvey police officers and one Chicago police officer.

U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald expressed dismay at the number of law enforcement officers who allegedly participated in the staged crimes, calling "particularly shocking" the fact that some helped off-load and deliver what they believed were drugs.

Here's the press release.