A former Briarcliff Manor police officer has been charged in the gangland-style murder of four Middletown Men in April, the Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Authorities allege Nicholas Tartaglione intended to distribute five kilograms of cocaine and the men were killed as a result of the deal.

Martin Luna, Urbano Santiago, Miguel Luna and Hector Gutierrez were reported missing after last being seen on April 11, 2016. Tragically, several of the victims were not involved and appear to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a press release.

The incident occurred inside and around Likquid Lounge in Chester. Authorities allege the conspiracy to sell the drugs began in June of 2015 and ended in murder.

The New York State Police, the Village of Chester Police and Middletown Police Department all collaborated on the investigation. The case is being tried by the United States Attorney's Office in White Plains Federal Court.

"The despicable acts of murder are more egregious in this case because the alleged murderer, a former police officer, once swore to serve and protect people from harm," FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said. "The FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force works day after day to battle the crimes that accompany the drug trade to keep criminals and their illegal actions from impacting innocent people. We hope the victims’ families and community find some solace in an arrest being made."

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