Norman Wielsch, the former commander of the Contra Costa County Narcotics Enforcement Team who was arrested last week on suspicion of trafficking drugs his team had confiscated, saw his $1 million bail reduced to an easy $400,000 on Friday. According to the AP, Wielsch's lawyer explained his client was in debt after his daughter needed a bone marrow transplant - which might actually explain Wielsch's motive for racking up 28 felony counts while selling hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of pot, methamphetamines and steroids.

Meanwhile, Chris Butler - Wielsch's accomplice and a private investigator with dreams of Lifetime Channel reality TV stardom - had no problem posting his $900,000 bail. The pair will appear in court next Wednesday, March 2nd when they are expected to enter pleas.

Previously on SFist: Contra Costa Narcotics Czar, MILF-Employing Private Investigator Busted for Dealing Drugs
[AP/SFExaminer]