Fort Lee Police Arrest Palisades Park Cop Who Allegedly Had Large Stash of Illegal Narcotics

Palisades Park Cop Accused of Drug CrimesA Palisades Park police officer was arrested after Fort Lee detectives allegedly found him in possession of illegal drugs at his house in Fort Lee. The suspect, Richard J. Giacobone, is a 39-year-old man with a home on Summit Avenue in Fort Lee. He is employed as a police officer with the Palisades Park Police Department. Giacobone was placed under arrest after authorities searched his residence and allegedly found drugs and prohibited weapons. Palisades Park police alerted Fort Lee police after learning that Giacobone may have been “under the influence of illegal narcotics.” The Fort Lee Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Confidential Investigations Unit investigated and got a search warrant for Giacobone’s home in Fort Lee, NJ. A search of the home reportedly turned up cocaine, marijuana, and anabolic steroids, in addition to large capacity ammunition magazines.

Giacobone was placed under arrest on the same day as the search of his Fort Lee residence. He was processed at Fort Lee police headquarters and then taken to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey. Next month, Giacobone will have to appear in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court. If the case eventually proceeds to trial, Giacobone would likely have to answer the drug offense charges and the criminal weapons charges in Bergen County Superior Court.

Drug Crime Penalties in Bergen County, New Jersey

The possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) is serious criminal offense and carries significant penalties. Law enforcement in Bergen County has been targeting drug possession crimes in recent years because the county, much like New Jersey and the rest of the U.S., has been plagued by a drug abuse epidemic. Giacobone has been charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, and possession of anabolic steroids. If convicted on the most serious charges of cocaine possession, Giacobone could potentially be sentenced to 3-5 years in state prison. That’s because cocaine possession is classified as a third degree felony in the NJ Criminal Code.

Giacobone also faces criminal charges for weapons offenses, which could result in severe penalties. Although Giacobone is a police officers, it was still against the law for him to possess large capacity ammunition magazines because such devices are banned by NJ law.

Beyond the legal consequences of a criminal conviction, Giacobone could also find that his employment with the Palisades Park Police Department is in jeopardy. That’s because he would probably lose his job if convicted of a felony in New Jersey. Before Giacobone started to work for the Palisades Park police force, he was employed as an officer with the New Milford Police Department. He reportedly resigned in 2015 and then started work in Palisades Park, NJ.

Free Consultation with Experienced Fort Lee Drug Crime Lawyer

If you have been charged with cocaine possession in Fort Lee, NJ, it is imperative that you talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney and start building a strong defense against the charges. The skilled attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm have successfully defended countless clients against drug offense charges in Bergen County, NJ. Contact us today to explore your legal options.