A Broward Sheriff’s deputy nicknamed “Wingnut” used his badge and expertise to aid a drug smuggling operation, then recruited a fellow deputy he said had a history of drug-dealing to help out, federal prosecutors charged Monday.

Deputy Richard Tauber, a 14-year veteran once fired for cavorting with prostitutes and unsavory characters — but later reinstated — and two civilian friends were charged in federal court with smuggling cocaine, diamonds and Krugerrand gold coins. A separate FBI complaint charged Deputy Kevin “Tattoo” Frankel with running surveillance for one of Tauber’s cocaine deliveries for $3,000.

Tauber, 37, of Boca Raton, was released on $600,000 bail. Frankel, of Lake Worth, is behind bars pending a bail hearing scheduled Thursday in Fort Lauderdale. Both men worked in Deerfield Beach. The two civilians, Robert Baccari, 38, and Christopher Provenzano, 37, both of Boca Raton, also are being held pending a Thursday hearing.

The arrests cap a 16-month month investigation of Tauber, who has a history of problems with the department.

Even ol’ Officer Bob likes to have a laugh now and again. This police training movie clip from the fifties demonstrates how an officer of the law is supposed to look around for evidence of marijuana use. The funny thing is, dere’s a bag of weed in this movie that’s got more lumber in it than the state of Oregon. Frankly, I wouldn’t even confiscate it unless I needed kindling for a campfire.