Dugan Arnett

Russ says Oliveira was charming and took a personal interest in him. Seemed to care for him in a big brother kind of way. The relationship was totally off the books. just between the two of them. And Russ quickly learned there were advantages to cooperating with this older cop.

Russ says Oliveira was charming and took a personal interest in him. Seemed to care for him in a big brother kind of way. The relationship was totally off the books. just between the two of them. And Russ quickly learned there were advantages to cooperating with this older cop.

For the first time, he was being told he'd be able to deal, essentially free from fear of the police. To start, Russ threw Oliveira a few, what he called, small bullshit cases.

For the first time, he was being told he'd be able to deal, essentially free from fear of the police. To start, Russ threw Oliveira a few, what he called, small bullshit cases.

The bigger picture was that by forming an alliance with Russ, Oliveira could make a lot of cases. For Russ, it would mean sacrificing some smaller guys on the food chain. But in exchange, he'd be left alone. Remember those setup cases where a cop and dealer would work together and essentially entrap someone? Well, Russ was the key to a number of them.

The bigger picture was that by forming an alliance with Russ, Oliveira could make a lot of cases. For Russ, it would mean sacrificing some smaller guys on the food chain. But in exchange, he'd be left alone. Remember those setup cases where a cop and dealer would work together and essentially entrap someone? Well, Russ was the key to a number of them.

He says he worked with Oliveira on at least 20 setups. It didn't bother Russ then, but now he's full of regret. And there's one guy in particular he still thinks about.

He says he worked with Oliveira on at least 20 setups. It didn't bother Russ then, but now he's full of regret. And there's one guy in particular he still thinks about.

Russ arranged to have drugs put in this guy's house. And hours later, Oliveira busted him. He wound up spending years in prison.

Russ arranged to have drugs put in this guy's house. And hours later, Oliveira busted him. He wound up spending years in prison.

Yeah. There are other people he thinks about, too. Not hardened criminals deep in the drug world.

Yeah. There are other people he thinks about, too. Not hardened criminals deep in the drug world.

Cops want to hold on to their CIs. They're valuable and help with their careers. Getting out is not always in the cards. But it didn't take long before Russ started to want out.

Cops want to hold on to their CIs. They're valuable and help with their careers. Getting out is not always in the cards. But it didn't take long before Russ started to want out.

Oliveira told Russ he could help him make a clean break. But not before Russ helped him make one last bust. I can't get into the details because they might give away Russ's identity. But I know that Russ did help Oliveira pull off a big arrest. I found police files and court records to back up his story. And afterward, Russ waited for Oliveira to hold up his end of the bargain. But he didn't.

Oliveira told Russ he could help him make a clean break. But not before Russ helped him make one last bust. I can't get into the details because they might give away Russ's identity. But I know that Russ did help Oliveira pull off a big arrest. I found police files and court records to back up his story. And afterward, Russ waited for Oliveira to hold up his end of the bargain. But he didn't.

I wish I could tell you more of the specifics here, but just understand that Russ says he felt betrayed.

I wish I could tell you more of the specifics here, but just understand that Russ says he felt betrayed.

Russ did eventually get out. Not with any help from Oliveira, but on his own. He made a bunch of money, cashed in his chips, and left New Bedford behind. Russ was never charged for any of the drug crimes he says he committed with Oliveira's knowledge.

Russ did eventually get out. Not with any help from Oliveira, but on his own. He made a bunch of money, cashed in his chips, and left New Bedford behind. Russ was never charged for any of the drug crimes he says he committed with Oliveira's knowledge.