Newark Cop Charged With Drug Possession, Intent To Distribute

NEWARK, NJ — A police officer in Newark has been arrested on drug charges, authorities announced Wednesday.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Ricardo E. Garden, 41 – a Newark police officer – was arrested on June 20 after he was found in possession of several drugs, including heroin, Xanax and marijuana.

Prosecutors said Garden has been charged with the following offenses:

“Garden has been charged with third-degree possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school and 500 feet of a public park, both third degree offenses. Garden has also been charged with possession of more than ounce but less than five pounds of marijuana, a fourth-degree offense and third-degree possession of heroin. He also faces disorderly person charges of possession of Xanax and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.”

Garden was transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark after his arrest. He was later released from custody after making an appearance in the Essex County Central Judicial Processing Court.

Garden, a detective with the NPD, has been suspended without pay, NJ Advance Media reported.

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