Federal officer arrested in Fort Lauderdale on drug charges

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- A 35-year veteran of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency faces drug charges in Fort Lauderdale.

Police say Officer Willie Cooper was pulled over in his personal car for running through a stop sign. His breaks lights were also not working. When officers approached the car, they saw a knife at his feet. They also found a crack pipe still warm and smoking, and a box cutter.

Police say he was "very belligerent and not cooperating." A struggle followed, and he was arrested. Cooper was in full uniform but did not have his duty weapon on him.

The 53-year-old is charged with cocaine possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest with violence and several traffic related citations.

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