Philly cop arrested on charges of sending marijuana through mail
Philadelphia Officer William Branish Jr.
A Philadelphia police officer was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly mailed marijuana to an unknown address.
Officer William Branish Jr., 43, a 14-year veteran of the force, was charged with simple possession and possession with intent to deliver. Police Commissioner Richard Ross suspended him for 30 days with the intent to dismiss, police said.
Investigators began looking at Branish in January after he allegedly used an acquaintance’s company account to mail a package containing several small packets of pot, police said.
But the package was returned as undeliverable, and another company employee discovered the drugs inside, police said.
Police did not release details on Branish’s intended recipient.
Branish is assigned to the 26th District, which is headquartered in Fishtown.
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