This isn't new. I used to hear such stories 50 years ago.
Recently, a special (one of the "informative" channels) look at the corruption during prohibition. Cops made about $2000/year (about 10% more than a full professor, for example), but they could earn $500 for just not showing up for work on a specified day.
I've long held a suspicion (unverified) that ordinary people are just paid to run drugs; a one time affair. Little chance of getting caught due to no previous record and little chance of them talking due to the tax consequences.
Good theory.