Topeka ? Shawnee County Dist. Atty. Robert Hecht has dropped 27 drug cases because of a lack of credible evidence.

Hecht said in a news release Monday that the need to dismiss the charges became evident as the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and his office conducted a joint investigation into the “activities of certain police officers.”

The focus of the investigation was Topeka police officer Thomas Pfortmiller, who is scheduled to be sentenced next month on 50 felony counts of forgery, perjury, theft and official misconduct.

Pfortmiller pleaded guilty to taking nearly $21,000 intended to make drug buys in undercover investigations. Prosecutors said during a plea hearing last month that Pfortmiller filed police reports claiming that drug purchases had occurred, which led to the issuance of false arrest warrants.

Hecht said the dismissed cases were not handled by Pfortmiller.

Topeka Police Chief Ed Klumpp said Monday afternoon that Hecht had told him about a month ago that at least one other person would be charged in connection with the investigation of Pfortmiller.