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Fresno Deputy Police Chief Arrested For Dealing Drugs

Fresno Police Department

One of Fresno's highest ranking law enforcement officers was arrested Thursday on drug charges. Fresno Deputy Police Chief Keith Foster is charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, marijuana and oxycodone.

Five other Fresno residents were also charged in the case, including two men the FBI believes are related to Foster. 

Foster has been placed on administrative leave by the department. The arrests are part of an on-going, year-long investigation by the FBI and ATF.

Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin says the arrest is totally unexpected...

Swearengin: "It is really just such a shock. I think those of us who knew Deputy Foster are really just in a state of shock and reeling from the news."

According to a criminal complaint released by the FBI, Foster helped facilitate three different drug deals between December 2014 and February 2015. 

Foster has been with the department for nearly 30 years. 

KVPR's Joe Moore and Jeffrey Hess contributed to this report.