I did not allege widespread corruption. However, when corruption takes hold in the upper levels of policing, these things happen. I'm not going to name names of existing corrupt Sheriffs, but there are certainly examples of ones who have been busted in the past. Some steal drugs from dealers and resell them through their deputies. Some import directly and sell through approved dealers. Who better to sell drugs than one of the most powerful men in the county?
Here's a perfect example:
A Virginia sheriff covered up a scheme in which a dozen of his deputies sold seized guns and drugs to the public...
The whole story here:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/11/02/sh...ted/index.html
Now, that story doesn't suggest collusion between the Sheriff and the gangsters, but I assure you that these things go on. I have reliable sources, who for obvious reasons, I will not name.