A former suburban Chicago police officer accused of operating a drug ring with two colleagues was sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Former Schaumburg Officer Terrence O'Brien pleaded guilty Friday to unlawful possession of a controlled substance, official misconduct, burglary and armed violence before DuPage County Circuit Judge Blanche Hill Fawell.

The 47-year-old O'Brien was arrested last year along with 30-year-old John Cichy and 29-year-old Matthew Hudak for allegedly stealing drugs seized by police and selling them through a street dealer. Among the drugs allegedly sold was marijuana and cocaine.

Authorities became aware of the scheme in January 2013, when an informant told investigators in a neighboring community he had been asked to sell drugs given him by police.

DuPage County prosecutors say cases against Cichy and Hudak are pending.