Cops In Delco Aided Drug Dealer; 1 Got Cocaine In Return: AG

SHARON HILL, PA — Two police officers in Delaware County were criminally charged Thursday after authorities say they shared confidential information with a drug dealer who gave one of them cocaine in return.

Det. Vincent Procopio and Ptl. Dominic Dellabarba work for the Sharon Hill Police Department.

Authorities say Procopio shared confidential law-enforcement information with the dealer in exchange for cocaine, said Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday.

That included informing the dealer of any investigations into their activities and whether any of the dealer's acquaintances were working with police, Sunday said.

When the dealer was under investigation, Dellabarba told them whether they had any active warrants, authorities said.

The state attorney general's office, which filed the charges, withheld the drug dealer's name on Thursday because they provided information to law enforcement. They are facing criminal charges.

Procopio, 34, of Newtown Square, was charged with possession with intent to deliver for acting as an accomplice to the drug-dealing. He was also charged with bribery, tampering with evidence, nine counts of criminal use of a communication facility, and related offenses.

Dellabarba, 27, of Holmes, was charged with obstruction of law and related counts.

Both were arraigned Thursday, with bail set at $200,000 each. Neither had an attorney listed in court documents for Patch to contact for comment.

The suspects' employment status wasn't immediately clear. Patch called the Sharon Hill Police Department and was told they're declining comment on the matter.

The investigation is ongoing.