Philly detective tipped off drug kingpin

PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia police detective is being charged with tipping off a drug kingpin about a raid through a mutual friend, former NBA player Jerome “Pooh” Richardson.

Detective Rickie Durham is due in federal court Wednesday on obstruction and related charges.

The indictment stated Durham called Richardson hours before a 2005 raid on a cocaine ring led by Alton Coles. Durham allegedly warned Richardson that his sister, who was Coles’ live-in girlfriend, would also be charged.

Authorities said Richardson called his sister, prompting Coles to order underlings to hide a gun and other contraband.

Richardson is not charged.

Richardson, the first-ever draft pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise in 1989, also played for the Indiana Pacers and the Los Angeles Clippers.