The case of Merlin Alston, a disgraced cop, is something right out of a gangster movie. It has corrupt cops, drugs and mafia style executions. Alston was busted back in June 2015, when wiretaps uncovered his role in a conspiracy involving a Bronx drug-lord. This week, Alston was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute narcotics and weapons.
The trial lasted two weeks. In that time, Alston’s second life – as a spy for a childhood friend and drug dealer – was exposed for the world to see. Alston not only provided sensitive police information to his pal Gabriel Reyes, he also helped him distribute nearly 40 kilos of cocaine. According to Reyes, “At times he would tell me places not to be around because there was about to be a bust.” Reyes, who was also charged with selling drugs and weapons charges, undoubtedly received a deal for testifying against his high school friend.
Alston’s attorneys voiced a false outrage to the media, stating that they respect the verdict of the jury, “but we’re clearly disappointed in the outcome. We’ll have to make a decision whether to appeal.” Alston has not been sentenced for his crimes as of yet, however, he stands to lose 15 years of his life, unless the judge takes sympathy on him (as we have seen time and time again in the justice system). Even when cops are caught on camera, tried and convicted, the system always seems to let them off with a slap on the wrist.
One of the more shocking twists to this case was the mob-like execution of a witness who was scheduled to testify against Alston. Alston, who was initially out on bail, had that bail revoked when Robert Bishun, a state’s witness, turned up strangled and zip-tied in the trunk of his car. He was the second witness to suffer at the hands of an unknown party, who was obviously monitoring the case closely. The first victim apparently had his home shot up before testifying. The likelihood of these two incidents being unrelated to the trial, are slim. Alston’s attorney denied any connection between Alston and the two incidents, stating, “There are other witnesses in this case that are going to be much more devastating than Mr. Bishun would ever be, so to imagine that Mr. Alston orchestrated this whole thing and set up this robbery to keep an individual who is probably a minor or a somewhat minor cooperator against him from testifying at trial, just seems outlandish to me.”
The implication is not so outlandish when you consider the fact that Alston accompanied his drug dealing friend Reyes on drug deliveries, armed with a shotgun and his duty weapon. The idea that two witnesses would be killed or threatened with violence – by a man who has a tendency to turn to violence – only makes sense. Alston has been behind bars since his initial arrest, and with sentencing looming, he’s not likely to get out any time soon. While the NYPD appears to be a hot bed for corruption, behavior demonstrated by Alston is seemingly far more common than anyone would like to admit.
Sources: NY Daily News, NY Daily News Article 1.
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