Unfortunately this story doesn't surprise me too much. Given the high percentage of corrupt cops, there's a possibility the cop was in on it - just another form of forfeiture. In my years of studying and writing about law enforcement issues I've also learned that criminals are much less fearful of cops than the average citizen. Besides the issues of cops being criminals (and thus friends to many criminals), folks involved in crimes know the system. They know what cops can and cannot do (legally and realistically) and they learn to read cops and determine if a cop is likely a banger, upper (upright law abiding), crook, or doofus. Some drug dealers, drug users, prostitutes, and bookies consider an occasional arrest just part of their life, nothing to get worked up over or worry about.