Hamilton cop accused of drug use alleged to have bought cocaine from jail guard, another police officer

A Hamilton constable facing discreditable conduct charges is alleged to have set up drug deals on the job and bought cocaine from another police officer and a jail guard nicknamed Big Show," according to hearing documents.

Const. Alfonso Esquivel, who is suspended with pay, faces five disciplinary charges under the Police Services Act, including discreditable conduct linked to the alleged use, purchase and supply of drugs.

He made a first appearance at a virtual hearing in April. The allegations against him have yet to be tested at the hearing.

But documents requested by The Spectator related to a proposed publication ban reveal new details of the alleged drug-related misconduct - including the involvement of another unnamed Hamilton police officer, who has since left the service.

A statement of particulars" made available ahead of a July hearing motion alleges Esquivel bought cocaine from - and supplied the drug to - another Hamilton police officer starting as far back as 2018. The document said Esquivel bought cocaine from the officer six times, paying $100 per purchase.

The other officer is identified only as Officer B" in the document and the identity of that person is the subject of the proposed publication ban. The second officer is not the subject of the charges and is no longer a member of the Hamilton Police Service.

Esquivel also allegedly had another drug dealer in 2021 - a jail guard known as Big Show" - who was involved in getting cocaine for both Hamilton police officers.

Const. Esquivel admits regularly reaching out to drug dealers while he was at work in order to set up drug deals," reads an allegation in the statement of particulars.

The document alleges Esquivel would sometimes meet drug dealers at his house while his family was home. It references texts allegedly sent by Esquivel variously asking: for a drug delivery after his kids go to sleep, for a home delivery under a mat" because his family was home and to cancel a deal because his wife was awake."

The statement of particulars also alleges Esquivel established a ruse" to allow him to buy drugs at one point in 2018. The alleged ruse involved asking to leave work early because of a purported emergency with his child.

Esquivel was suspended with pay on June 8 of last year, according to Hamilton police. He has been with the service for six years.

The Spectator reached out for comment to the law firm representing Esquivel on Wednesday but did not hear back immediately.

The Hamilton Police Association said it did not have a statement to offer for the story Wednesday.

Matthew Van Dongen is a transportation and environment reporter at The Spectator. mvandongen@thespec.com