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.

Look, just because a constable pockets a key of blow here or shakes down a neighborhood car theft ring there, that don’t mean they’re crooked. Hey, you want the money to go to the gangs? No you don’t. You want it to end up in the hands of criminals or do you want it to go to building decks on officers’ houses?

Look, if cops gotta start answering questions about how a guy making $34,000 a year in uniform is driving a new Escalade every year, then it’s a slippery slope. Next thing you know, they’re gonna be tappin’ your phone.

An affidavit alleges that Wrenn purchased Percocet pills, a form of oxycodone, over a period of months. During that period, he allegedly routinely consumed the drug and cocaine.

The affidavit also alleges that Wrenn distributed a quantity of Percocet pills to a former Nahant officer and a young woman with a romantic liaison.

DEA agents and the Swampscott Police Dept. arrested Wrenn after he purchased 50 pills from his regular supplier.

Swampscott Police have not commented on the arrest.

Okay, so he had a commercial quantity. But I thought dat’s what this country was built on- commerce. What about the good old free enterprise system? The double-standard here is sickening: it’s ok for a guy on the radio that millions listen to every day – he doesn’t lose his job- but an officer of the law gets handcuffs. I tell ya, this country’s getting more upside-down by the week.