Firefighter Accused Of Dealing Cocaine

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A veteran Providence firefighter has been suspended as he faces cocaine dealing charges.

Ricardo Garcia was charged with felony possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to deliver earlier this month.

The state attorney general's office says the 47-year-old Cranston resident will be arraigned Nov. 14 in Providence District Court.

The city public safety commissioner's office told the Providence Journal that Garcia has been suspended without pay. He was a 15-year member of the fire department.

WPRI-TV reports the cocaine discovery happened in August when East Providence police pulled Garcia over for tailgating.

Police searching Garcia's car found in one of the car seats a quarter kilogram of cocaine. They estimate it has a $4,000 street value.

It couldn't be immediately determined if Garcia had a lawyer.