The FBI is taking over the investigation of eight San Francisco Police officers accused of conducting illegal searches of hotels with suspected drug activity, District Attorney George Gascon announced Friday.
Gascon, who is also the former SFPD's chief, said the hand-over was done to avoid a conflict of interest, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.
As a result, Gascon's office has dismissed 57 cases. The officers have been reassigned to administrative duties.
Hotel surveillance video surfaced of two drug arrests made at the Henry Hotel, a 132-unit low-income and homeless residence built in 1912. Footage shows plainclothes narcotics officers covering up surveillance cameras before making entry into the rooms, reports the San Francisco Bay View.
In a related development, Public Defender Jeff Adachi is calling for an end to the police practice of using master keys to enter residential hotel rooms, reports the San Francisco Examiner.
