Newark police officer charged with illegal drug possession in Essex County

Newark

By: Richard L. Smith

A Newark police officer was arrested following a recent operation in Essex County and faces multiple drug trafficking charges.

Mr Ricardo Garden, 40, -Police Officer in Newark- was reportedly found in possession of illegal narcotics, which led to his arrest and subsequent incarceration in the Essex County Jail.

According to public records, Garden was charged with several misdemeanors, including use and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use, manufacture/distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of over 50 grams of marijuana and 5 grams of hashish, and distribution of drugs near school grounds and on public buses.

Additional charges against Garden include possession of analogues of Schedules I, II, III and IV controlled substances and unauthorized use of prescription or non-prescription drugs.

According to Study.com, Legend Drugs are medicines used to treat a wide range of symptoms and conditions.

These drugs are classified according to schemes based on the addictive potential of each drug. Some examples of Legend drugs are Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate), Coumadin (sotalol), Viagra (sildenafil), and Xanax (alprazolam).

Authorities continue to investigate the case, emphasizing the seriousness of the illegal activities of police officers.

Garden is the second Newark police officer arrested and charged this month.

Officer Jerson D. Peralta, 24of Newark, was arrested on Wednesday, May 28, 2024, for shoplifting (by ringing) of merchandise valued at $116.68 from Target on Passaic Avenue in Kearny. Click here to see his story. HERE .

The police report indicated that he was charged with shoplifting under 2C:20-11B(5), a public order offense.

Peralta is also suspected of committing a series of shoplifting incidents in Hudson and Essex counties.

He was initially suspended without pay by the Newark Police Department because of the Target incident. He was reinstated about a week later, but was suspended again when more charges surfaced at other area stores.