Spotlight: Snitch City – Episode 4: Cops & Robbers
Introduction
In Episode 4 of Spotlight: Snitch City, hosted by investigative reporter Dugan Arnett from The Boston Globe Spotlight Team, listeners are plunged into the shadowy realm of police informants within a single police department. This episode, titled "Cops & Robbers," delves into the intricate relationship between drug dealers and law enforcement, spotlighting rampant misconduct and the systemic reliance on informants in a nation grappling with drug addiction.
Frank Simmons: The Kingpin
The narrative centers around Frank Simmons, known as Rizzo among friends, a prominent drug dealer in New Bedford during the 1990s. Simmons provides a candid account of his operations and lifestyle:
"Yeah, I was dumb. That's what I was. I always had three, four grand in my pocket, but I'd go out and spend two, three grand a night at the clubs." [01:07]
He managed large-scale drug distribution, primarily dealing in significant quantities of marijuana:
"I was more of like a high end. Like, I wouldn't go give you a little bag. I was selling 10 pounds, 20 pounds, you know what I mean." [00:46]
Frank's operation was expansive, dealing not just in marijuana but also in cocaine and ecstasy. His ability to move large quantities kept his business covert and substantial.
The Aggressive Police Narcotics Unit and Paul Oliveira
New Bedford's narcotics unit, under the leadership of Paul Oliveira, harbored a particularly aggressive stance against drug dealers. Oliveira, nicknamed "Robocop" on the streets, became notorious for his relentless pursuit of offenders:
"92, 93 maybe is when he started making a name for himself. You know, people knew you had to watch out for him." [02:06]
Frank recounts the tense atmosphere, always evading Oliveira's unit:
"You didn't want to run into them. You tried to stay away from them. Like, if we knew they were on the ave, we'd go to the south end." [01:36]
The Raid and the Green Fund Scandal
The tension between Frank and Oliveira culminated in a dramatic police raid in the summer of 1998. Frank had anticipated increased police scrutiny and had prepared to relocate his operations. However, the police struck unexpectedly:
"I pulled in the driveway, put the car in park, and I had a gun to my head. I had the window down about six inches." [03:40]
During the raid, law enforcement uncovered a significant stash of drugs and an unexpected $33,000 in cash, which Frank claims was mishandled by Oliveira and his team:
"Paul was passing out thousand dollar stacks to everybody. And then he turns to me and he says, that's what we call the fucking green fund. Thanks, buddy." [04:37]
Official records, however, contradict Frank's account, stating only $2,200 was found. Frank alleges a substantial discrepancy, suggesting corruption within the narcotics unit.
The FBI's Offer and Frank's Dilemma
Facing substantial prison time, Frank was approached by the FBI with an opportunity to reduce his charges by cooperating against Oliveira:
"I got offered $150,000 cash and if I wanted to be relocated, they'd relocate me." [19:45]
This proposition placed Frank at a crossroads: honor his personal code by refusing to snitch or accept the deal to mitigate his legal troubles. Despite the temptation, Frank upheld his stance against cooperating with law enforcement:
"I'm not gonna rat on somebody to get myself out of trouble. That, to me, that's a broken rule." [22:26]
Aftermath and Impact
Frank's refusal to cooperate led to a plea bargain, sparing him from the harshest penalties but leaving Oliveira's ascent within the department unchallenged. This decision had lasting implications, as Oliveira later became New Bedford's police chief. Frank's story underscores the pervasive code of silence among drug dealers and the challenges it poses to law enforcement efforts.
Accountability and Conclusion
The episode concludes by examining the broader impact of such no-snitching cultures on accountability within police departments. Barry Wilson, a defense attorney who represented Frank, criticizes Oliveira's integrity and highlights systemic issues:
"Everybody knew way back when nobody trusted Oliveira. Anybody you ask would have said, you trust this guy?" [34:41]
Despite multiple attempts by other informants to expose corruption, the entrenched silence effectively shielded Oliveira from prosecution. Former FBI agent Dave Madigan corroborates suspicions of interference:
"I think Paul Oliveira went and talked to somebody." [Madigan]
Ultimately, Spotlight: Snitch City Episode 4 paints a compelling picture of the intricate dance between drug dealers and corrupt law enforcement, illustrating how personal codes and systemic failures can undermine justice and perpetuate corruption.
Notable Quotes
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Frank Simmons on his lifestyle:
"I was dumb. That's what I was. I always had three, four grand in my pocket, but I'd go out and spend two, three grand a night at the clubs." [01:07]
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Frank on the green fund incident:
"Paul was passing out thousand dollar stacks to everybody. And then he turns to me and he says, that's what we call the fucking green fund. Thanks, buddy." [04:37]
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Barry Wilson on Paul Oliveira:
"Everybody knew way back when nobody trusted Oliveira. Anybody you ask would have said, you trust this guy?" [34:41]
Conclusion
Episode 4 of Spotlight: Snitch City masterfully intertwines personal narratives with investigative journalism to shed light on the murky intersections of drug trafficking and police corruption. Through Frank Simmons' story, listeners gain insight into the complexities and consequences of a culture resistant to cooperation, ultimately questioning the efficacy of law enforcement's reliance on informants in battling systemic misconduct.